House Democrat caucus chair slammed for tweeting 'lock up' Kyle Rittenhouse after taking anti-prison stance

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Kyle Rittenhouse takes the stand in his own defense

Fox News correspondent Mike Tobin reports on Kyle Rittenhouse testifying at his own trial and breaking down in tears while on the stand.

Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was widely panned on social media after calling for 18-year-old alleged Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse to be jailed while his trial is still pending.

"Lock up Kyle Rittenhouse and throw away the key," Jeffries tweeted as the alleged shooter’s trial was airing live on television causing many on social media to question whether it was appropriate for an elected official to risk tainting the jury pool by speaking out during a trial.

Kyle Rittenhouse is sworn in to testify during his trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Wednesday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A legal expert said prosecutors coul dbe barred from re-trying him if a mistrial is granted and prosecutors were found to have intentionally caused it. (Getty Images)

"Sitting member of congress and chair of House Democratic Caucus," The Spectator editor Stephen L. Miller tweeted.

Others pointed out a tweet from Jeffries in 2020 where he called for the end of mass incarceration and the defunding of the "prison industrial complex" but now is calling for Rittenhouse to be jailed forever during a trial.

Wendy Rittenhouse, Kyle Rittenhouse's mother, gets emotional as her son is cross-examined by Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger during his trail at the Kenosha County Courthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, November 10, 2021.  Sean Krajacic/Pool via REUTERS (Sean Krajacic/Pool via REUTERS)

FACEBOOK SEARCH FOR 'KYLE RITTENHOUSE' TURNS UP NOTHING FOR USERS DURING HIS TRIAL

"This you?" Radio host Dan O’Donnell tweeted.

Kyle Rittenhouse took the stand on Wednesday in his ongoing trial in Kenosha County court.

RITTENHOUSE TRIAL: DID HE NEED TO TESTIFY?

Rittenhouse is charged with two counts of homicide, one count of attempted homicide, recklessly endangering safety and illegal possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.  

He was 17 when he and at least one friend said they traveled to the Wisconsin city from Illinois to protect local businesses and provide medical aid after two nights of businesses being looted and set on fire. 

Rittenhouse’s attorneys have argued repeatedly that their client was acting in self-defense, and fired his semi-automatic rifle because he was being chased or faced with a gun.  

Judge Bruce E. Schroeder rebukes Assistant District Attorney Thomas Binger during the Kyle Rittenhouse trial at the Kenosha County Courthouse on Nov. 10, 2021 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  (Mark Hertzberg-Pool/Getty Images)

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The prosecution has tried to depict Rittenhouse as the person who instigated the events, including by emphasizing that he is the only person to have shot someone during the night of unrest. During trial Wednesday, Rittenhouse's defense asked the presiding judge for a mistrial with prejudice, which would end the trial and prevent Rittenhouse from facing the same charges again.

Fox News' Stephanie Pagones contributed to this report