Top Democrat Adam Smith declares he will NOT be intimidated after home vandalized by ‘left-wing’ pro-Palestine rioters demanding a ceasefire and slams the perpetrators for having a warped ‘morally superior’ view
A top Democrat whose home was destroyed by pro-Palestinian rioters demanding a ceasefire during the Israel-Hamas war says he will not be intimidated, telling DailyMail.com that the attack is part of a broader trend toward extremism .
Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Adam Smith, announced Friday that his home in Bellevue, Washington, had been spray-painted bright red by vandals with the words “liberate Gaza” and “ceasefire!” Red handprints dripped down the bright white garage door of his home and another statement read “baby killer.”
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, Smith called the incident part of a “broader” trend among both the “far left and the far right.”
“They are so self-righteous in their opinions, they are morally superior to everyone else, that they believe in intimidation and the threat of violence and in some cases violence is a legitimate way to advance their interests,” he told DailyMail. com from the vandals.
Top Democrat Adam Smith's home destroyed by pro-Palestinian rioters demanding a ceasefire
Red spray paint dripped all over Adam Smith's house
He went on to say it is part of the broader issue of “undermining representative government” and suppressing any idea of constructive dialogue.
These groups, both far left and far right, believe that they are so right that they should get their way no matter what. And I think this threatens peace, stability and fundamental democracy.
He said one example occurred in a “much more extreme way” by far-right activists during the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Smith told DailyMail.com that he has always been focused on “inclusion dialogue” and peacefully resolving disagreements.
He said the “irony” is that he regularly meets with left-wing activists on a plethora of issues.
“That's my real concern in all of this,” he explained.
'I don't shut them out. They just don't like my answer. So they think this is an acceptable way to intimidate me and change that,” he continued.
But the top Democrat vowed that their act of vandalism “will not intimidate me or cause me to decide things differently than I otherwise would.”
Smith has called for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting, but also supports Israel's quest to eradicate terror group Hamas.
Following a seven-day ceasefire, Hamas launched rockets into Israel on Friday night, breaking the brief reprieve in the war to facilitate a hostage swap.
The attack on his home also comes just a week after pro-Palestinian rioters were arrested outside the Democratic National Committee.
Smith also addressed the issue of rising anti-Semitism across the country, especially on college campuses.
He said it is important for leadership in this area because if this kind of “dehumanization, hate speech and hateful actions grows,” you will see a new Holocaust.
“We need to act against it now, if you know, as strongly and as broadly as possible, and try to make sure that doesn't happen,” he told DailyMail.com.
When asked about progressive “Squad” Rep. Rashida Tlaib's anti-Semitic speech, which led to her being criticized in the House of Representatives, Smith said he hadn't paid too much attention to what exactly she said the caused outrage.
Last month, the House of Representatives officially voted to censure Tlaib over a series of incendiary comments condemning Israel after Hamas's Oct. 7 terror attacks that killed 1,400 people.
Twenty-two Democrats joined Republicans to condemn the progressive Michigan lawmaker in a stunning rebuke of her controversial statements on the Middle East conflict.
She has also been criticized by the White House and members of her own party for using the pro-Palestinian chant “from the river to the sea,” which many consider an anti-Semitic call for the destruction of Israel.
“I don't think that having the opinion that the U.S. should not support Israel is grounds for expulsion from Congress,” Smith said. He added that he “strongly disagrees” with her position.
“But I think we have to be careful about punishing people for legitimate policy positions, and about punishing people for anti-Semitic comments.”
Another statement reading “baby killer” was written in red on Smith's house
Smith spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California
Smith joined Senator Joni Ernst on a panel at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum
Smith also addressed the issue of rising anti-Semitism across the country, especially on college campuses.
Smith joined Senator Joni Ernst on a panel at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum.
Dr. Alexander C. Karp, co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, and Marc A. Thiessen, former chief speechwriter to President George W. Bush, also participated.