Tulsi Gabbard Branded A “Coward” After Refusing To Vote Yay Or Nay On Impeachment

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is getting heat for being the lone member of the House of Representatives to vote “present” on the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. And today #TulsiCoward is trending on Twitter. Gabbard responded to the uproar over vote by saying: “My vote today is a vote for much needed reconciliation and hope that together we can heal our country to usher in a bright future for the American people, our country, and our nation.”

But the reaction from her colleagues and the public isn’t reconciliatory in the least bit. Buzzfeed writes:

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the star first-term representative of New York, said she was surprised by Gabbard’s present vote, and that the Hawaii representative owes it to her constituents to explain why she did not pick a side.

“Today was very consequential. And to not take a stand one way or another in a day of such grave consequence to this country is quite difficult. We’re sent here to lead,” she said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also appeared surprised when she read someone voted “present” as she gaveled out the vote on the first article.

Even Gabbard (former) supporters are condemning the lack of a vote.

The Daily Beast writes:

The congresswoman became only the 20th member of the House in history not to vote on articles of impeachment against a sitting president and the first ever to vote “present.” In 1868, 17 members declined to participate in a vote on articles of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson.

Watch more from the Washington Post above.