Originally published June 7, 2023 6:00 pm PDT
The original performance was interrupted despite the choir having permission from U.S. representatives.
QUICK FACTS:
- Former President Donald Trump invited the Rushingbrook Children’s Choir to sing at his South Carolina rally after the choir was stopped during a performance of the National Anthem at the U.S. Capitol.
- Choir director David Rasbach originally received permission from South Carolina Republican Reps. William Timmons and Joe Wilson, as well as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to hold the performance.
- Despite the granted permission, officials approached Rasbach and told him to end the choir’s performance of the U.S. national anthem, later saying the incident was the result of a “miscommunication.”
- Police said they “were not aware that the Speaker’s Office had approved this performance.”
- Trump has since called the situation “a shame” and invited the “very talented group of people” to sing in front of “tens of thousands of people.”
- Rasbach said the opportunity was “quite an honor” and “wouldn’t even think of turning [Trump] down,” according to the Post and Courier.
REPS RESPOND TO FIRST INTERRUPTION:
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) condemned the original interruption, tweeting, “Rushingbrook Children’s Choir were singing the National Anthem in the Capitol and were stopped by Capitol police. They were told that ‘certain Capitol police said it might offend someone/cause issues.'”
- “The National Anthem sung by children is not offensive, it’s needed more,” her statement continued.
- Texas Senator Ted Cruz (R) shared a similar sentiment, stating, “There shouldn’t be confusion about whether our national anthem is potentially offensive, or whether it is inappropriate for children to sing it in the Capitol.”
- “We should welcome these students to perform and share their gifts anytime, anywhere,” the senator added.
- Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas also tweeted, “HORRIBLE! Why were children stopped from singing THE NATIONAL ANTHEM in our Capitol? This is a grave violation of their free speech rights. Capitol Police have no business deciding what speech is ok!”
BACKGROUND:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently admitted that he is afraid of Donald Trump potentially returning to the White House because Trump will not support the Ukrainian president’s demands.
- “President Biden is the president during a full-scale war and he has been more helpful to us than President Trump,” Zelensky told the Wall Street Journal.
- “In a situation like this, when there is support, you are afraid of changes,” Zelensky said. “And to be honest, when you mention a change of administration, I feel the same way as anyone… You want changes for the better, but it can also be the other way around.”
