CA Gov Candidate Boasts He’s ‘Very Proud’ Of Being An Oath Keeper
The California gubernatorial debate took a bizarre turn Tuesday night. It began when Antonio Villaraigosa, the Democratic former mayor of Los Angeles, declared, “We all know Chad Bianco, the Republican sheriff of Riverside County, is an Oath Keeper.
As Raw Story noted, the Oath Keepers are “a far-right American militia that was involved in the January 6 Capitol riots.”
So, it was surprising, to say the least, to hear Bianco respond, “And I’m very proud of it.” He was so proud, apparently, that he literally doubled down and repeated how “very proud of it” he is.
He even tripled down. “You should know what you were swearing and be proud of defending it,” Bianco added.
“I don't think an Oath Keeper is qualified to be governor," Villaraigosa said.
Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra chimed in to call Bianco’s endorsement of the extremists a "chilling answer."
Villaraigosa and Bianco went back and forth on immigration until moderator Kaitlan Collins interrupted to come back to the Oath Keepers topic. “You said you’re a proud Oath Keeper. Are you referring to the group?” she asked Bianco.
Yep, he absolutely was. “I have sworn an oath three times to defend my constitution, yes. And everybody that wants to, like, again lie and emotionally get all spun up about the Oath Keeper organization … I want you to go read the mission statement of the Oath Keeper mission statement [sic]” Bianco replied. “I know none of you have.”