Liberals erupt after Rep. Cawthorn cleans gun during veterans affairs hearing

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Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina drew the ire of liberals on social media after cleaning his gun during a veterans affairs hearing this week. The hearing was held remotely on Zoom. 

"I am now ‘wanting to punch a guy in a wheelchair’ years old," comedian Christopher Titus posted on Twitter after reports began circulating that the 26-year-old North Carolina Republican was seen cleaning his gun in the hearing during a roundtable discussion on burn pit exposure. 

Representative Madison Cawthorn, a Republican from North Carolina, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Photographer: Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Dylan Hollingsworth/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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"Madison Cawthorn Cleans Gun During Veterans' Affairs Hearing how much more of this insanity are we expected to tolerate?" singer Stella Parton tweeted.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., arrives as the House Republican Conference meets to elect a new chairman to replace Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who was ousted from the GOP leadership for her criticism of former President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

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"I grew up in gun culture, and the thought of cleaning a weapon in front of anyone, let alone strangers, is unthinkable," writer Charlotte Clymer posted. "It's enormously disrespectful. Madison Cawthorn is a grown man who has spent a lifetime under the impression that his efforts are inherently extraordinary. Sad."

A first responder who was in the meeting was apparently offended as well, saying that Cawthorn acted like a child.

UNITED STATES - MAY 14: Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., is seen in the Capitol Visitor Center before Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., won the election for House Republican Conference chair on Friday, May 14, 2021.

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In a statement to Fox News, Cawthorn spokesperson Luke Ball said, "What could possibly be more patriotic than guns and veterans?"