Torres rips Bowman's 'shocking' rally profanity, 'unhinged tirade'
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) went after Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) after he led an energetic, profanity-laced rally on Saturday, saying Bowman’s “unhinged tirade” doesn’t represent what a member of Congress should be.
“The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress,” Torres said on X. “There is nothing in Jamaal Bowman’s unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.”
Bowman’s reelection rally, alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), represented the progressives standing up for Bowman as he faces a challenging primary.
The primary race has focused on the U.S. relationship with Israel, with Bowman critical of the Israeli government and his opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a supporter. Latimer has received significant funding from AIPAC, an Israeli political advocacy group.
“We are going to show f--king AIPAC, the power of the motherf--king South Bronx!” Bowman said at the rally. “People ask me why I got a foul mouth, what am I supposed to do? You’re coming after me! You’re coming after my family! You’re coming after my children! I’m not supposed to fight back?”
“We’re going to show them who the f--k we are!” he added, jumping around the stage.
Bowman’s primary has split the Democratic Party and progressives, with former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) among those who have endorsed Latimer in what other progressives saw as backstabbing an incumbent. Hillary Clinton is also among the high-profile Latimer backers.
Torres’ criticism also represents his falling out with House progressives. He left the Congressional Progressive Caucus earlier this year over a difference in Israel policy. He has not made an endorsement in the race, though has previously threatened to back Latimer publicly.
The congressman told Axios last week that he has a “general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against me.”
“But Bowman's gratuitous attack on my character might cause me to rethink that rule. Stay tuned,” he said.