Pelosi Explodes at James Rosen: ‘Don’t Mess with Me’

The speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), popped off at a reporter Thursday, telling him “don’t mess with me.”

The comments came after former Fox News reporter James Rosen asked Pelosi as her weekly press conference was wrapping up whether she “hated” President Trump.

“I don’t hate anybody,” Pelosi quickly countered. As Rosen tried to explain his question, Pelosi started pointing her finger at him, saying, “We don’t hate anybody. Not anybody in the world. Don’t accuse me —”

Rosen the interjected: “I did not accuse you. I asked you a question. Representative Collins yesterday suggested that the Democrats are doing this simply because you don’t like the guy. I think it is an important point.”

“I think this president is a power when it comes to helping our kids who are afraid of gun violence,” Pelosi replied, still pointing at Rosen. “I think that he is cruel when he doesn’t deal with helping our dreamers of which we are very proud before I think he is in denial about the climate crisis.”

“This is about the Constitution of the United States and the facts that lead to the president’s violation of his oath of office,” she continued. “And as a catholic, I resent your using the word hate in a sentence that addresses me. I don’t hate anyone. I was raised in a way that is a heart full of love and always pray for the president. And I still pray for the president. I pray for the president all the time. So don’t mess with me when it comes to words like that.” 

Here’s a transcript of the heated exchange:

ROSEN: “Do you hate the President, Ms. Speaker?”

PELOSI: “I don’t hate anybody.”

ROSEN: “The reason I ask —“

PELOSI: “We don’t hate anybody. Not anybody in the world. Don’t accuse me —“

ROSEN: “I did not accuse you.”

PELOSI: “You did. You did.” 

ROSEN: “I asked you a question. Representative Collins yesterday suggested that the Democrats are doing this simply because you don’t like the guy. I think it’s an important point.”

PELOSI: “Let me just say this. I think this president is a coward when it comes to helping our kids who are afraid of gun violence. I think he is cruel when he doesn’t deal with helping our DREAMers of which we are very proud. I think he is in denial about the climate crisis. However, that is about the election. This is about the — take it up in the election. This is about the Constitution of the United States and the facts that lead to the President’s violation of his oath of office. And as a Catholic, I resent your using the word ‘hate’ in a sentence that addresses me. I don’t hate anyone. I was raised in a way that is a heart full of love and always pray for the President. And I still pray for the President. I pray for the President all the time. So don’t mess with me when it comes to words like that.”