An Anti-Gun Parkland Dad Was Ejected From the SOTU for Heckling the President. Was His Response Later That Night on Target?

Fred Guttenberg, father of 14-year-old daughter Jaime Guttenberg, who was was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14, 2018, speaks during a news conference with the Moms Demand Action group on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Coral Springs, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

The State of the Union address was, to many who support Trump and even some who don’t (here), a triumph.

But it wasn’t without its ugly moments (#RipGate, anyone?).

One such less-than-inspiring incident was the removal from the chamber of anti-gun activist Fred Guttenberg.

The father of heartbreaking 14-year-old Parkland shooting victim Jamie was asked to leave during the speech after heckling the Commander-in-Chief in reaction to his vow to protect the 2nd Amendment.

It went like this:

Trump: “[I’ll] always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”

Fred: A buncha yellin’.

Security: Time to go.

In my opinion, Fred looked surprised when he was retrieved.

I’m surprised he seemed surprised.

No surprise: He was the guest of Nancy Pelosi.

ABC News called the exit an “escort,” but that’s putting it nicely.

Fred Guttenberg, who lost his 14-year-old daughter in the Parkland school shooting, was escorted out of the gallery during Pres. Trump's #SOTU address after shouting from the speaker's box as the president mentioned that he would protect gun rights. https://t.co/fV18qTfRap

— ABC News (@ABC) February 5, 2020

Later in the evening, Fred took to Twitter with a mea culpa:

“Tonight was a rough night. I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me. I simply want to be able to deal with the reality of gun violence and not have to listen to the lies about the 2A as happened tonight. That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.”

(2,2) That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) February 5, 2020

In response, he got a bit of the ol’ For and Against:

It's not your emotions you have to get hold of.

It's your thinking.

You and your friends here could not be more wrong.

Someday, write about what it's like to be on the wrong side of this issue.

— Fr. Frank Pavone 🇺🇸 (Text LIFE to 88022) (@frfrankpavone) February 5, 2020

EVERYONE should have yelled out tonight, as you did. We can't sit idly by and let this monster promote his cruelty, hatred, greed, and stupidity. Thank you for standing up to him.

— dogs rule 🐶 🆘 (@sifalio) February 5, 2020

Well, in the thread, overwhelmingly for:

Thank God for amazing warriors like you, Fred.. America is with you. You are the heart and soul of all that is good and decent in our country.

— Michelle Jones (@Michell49685689) February 5, 2020

You should be proud of yourself Fred, you had the courage to speak out in a very public way about the corruption (and horror) of this administration and what it is not only enabling, but actually glorifying.
The majority of the world is with you Fred.

— Katheleen Mitro Art (@KatheleenMitro) February 5, 2020

Those who hate the existence of guns are, of course, right about something substantial: If guns didn’t exist, no one would’ve been tragically shot on February 14th, 2018.

But, as you well know, there’s a complication: Since guns exist, the only thing that could’ve saved everyone that day was…a gun.

See an absolutely stunning example of such here.

Back to that moment at the Capitol, the New York Post notes that Nancy “turned to the gallery with a stern look after the disruption and muttered something under her breath.”

[As I said last night in RedState’s live chat, I just know that breath smells like Dentyne. It’s just gotta. I feel certain Nancy Pelosi smells like Dentyne and Noxzema. I can’t help myself.]

And as observed by The Daily Wire, in addition to ripping one during the evening (I mean a page of the text), the Speaker of the House also shanked Trump with her intro:

Protocol, as decades of past SOTU addresses show, is for the House Speaker to announce the President by noting that it is their “high privilege and distinct honor” to do so:

“Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States.”

Instead, Pelosi merely announced President Trump: “Members of Congress, the President of the United States.”

As per The Washington Post, here’s what she had to say about the POTUS’s potent presentation:

“The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people.”

Clear.

Oh, well. In Washington, nothing runs smoothly. Still, if you’re a fan of the Prez and you’re looking for a Best in Show address of the nation, there’s a more-than-great chance this SOTU will be your GoTo.