Remember when former Biden-era Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg virtue-signaled for the cameras in 2021 and made sure he was seen riding a bicycle to work? What a climate warrior.
Turns out, he had armed security following him every step of the way, and some pundits even alleged that the security would drop Pete and the bike off a few blocks from his office and he would pedal the rest of the way (though that was never conclusively proven). Either way, the end result is that not a single drop of gasoline was saved.
Fast forward to 2026, and Orange County Dem Rep. Dave Min (CA-47) is zipping around the Capitol on his electric scooter and pushing legislation on “micro-mobility.” As you’d expect, the media is eating it up:
It’s hard to miss @CongressMin on Capitol Hill — he’s the one riding the electric scooter.
— Cassie Semyon (@casssemyon) April 24, 2026
Now’s he’s turning his love for the speedy method of transportation into bipartisan legislation to create federal standards for e-bikes and other micro-mobility methods.@SpectrumNewsDC… pic.twitter.com/KSujK1nBaA
There’s just one small problem, though. There’s a very good reason he may not want to get behind the wheel, because he got slapped with a DUI in 2023:
A California Democrat once convicted of DUI is racing across D.C. on a scooter, and the internet can’t keep away from mocking him.
Orange County Rep. Dave Min is pushing legislation aimed at micro-mobility, with a recent report showing him zip around Capitol Hill on an electric scooter.
The alleged hypocrisy is leading to social media commenters battering the congressman, who received probation for his 2023 DUI after he blew a .15 on a blood alcohol tester. Cops pulled him over after he coasted through a red light. Min got 3 years of probation after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor DUI.
Stick to the scooter, Dave; that's a good plan:
The internet was not kind, with RedState’s own Jennifer Van Laar weighing in:
BECAUSE HE GETS DUIs
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) April 25, 2026
It's called a drunk-cycle (pronounced drunk-sickle, amirite @dogwoodblooms?) https://t.co/JdrFpxPDst
MORE: Trump Hilariously Slaps Pete Buttigieg Around, Promises Big Changes With National Airspace
Wait — Seriously? An Unexpected Name Tops Crucial Dem Presidential Primary Poll
Things could have turned out much worse, as former nuclear scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy Matt Van Swol noted. He became well-known after he publicized the damage from Hurricane Helene and the slow federal response in 2024, and now has a large social media following:
Dave Min rides a scooter because he was so drunk, he blew through a stop sign at night WITHOUT HIS HEADLIGHTS ON…
— Matt Van Swol (@mattvanswol) April 24, 2026
…so now he rides a scooter to work
He could have KILLED someone and you are glorifying his scooter riding?
Shut up. pic.twitter.com/Ze0BTyEaUJ
Min's proposals may have some merit; as e-scooters and electric bicycles become more powerful and more popular, ensuring the safety of riders and pedestrians is something to be cognizant of.
“...[T]he lack of oversight regarding e-bikes poses serious safety risks to our children and our communities," he wrote in a March statement. "This bill will ensure federal e-bike standards are clearly defined while also empowering local governments to enhance their safety programs, keeping our communities safe while in transit.”
Maybe so, but I'm not so sure you're the best guy to be delivering the message.
Whenever you see one of these climate warrior Democrats heralded in the media, you can bet there’s more to the story. In this case, there certainly is.
Editor's Note: Do you enjoy RedState's conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.
Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member