On Monday, Rep. Cori Bush, a member of the progressive "Squad" group in the House, caused a stir on social media after introducing legislation to commemorate Michael Brown, whose death at the hands of police officers sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri back in 2014.
In a social media post, Bush wrote, "Mike Brown should be turning 28 today, but his life was taken by a Ferguson police officer. In Mike’s honor and alongside his mother, Lezley McSpadden, I am reintroducing the Helping Families Heal Act, also known as the Mike Brown Bill. #HelpUsHeal."
However, the announcement was met with backlash from conservative commentators online, who questioned the information surrounding Brown's death. They pointed out that subsequent investigations by the Obama administration's Department of Justice revealed that Brown's death was in self-defense, contrary to what witnesses claimed at the time.
Some commentators accused Bush of exploiting Brown's death for her own political gain and questioned her motives behind introducing the bill. They also highlighted the fact that Brown was shoplifting and engaging in violent behavior prior to his death, which they argue may have contributed to the situation.
However, others defended Bush and pointed out that her focus was on helping families who have been affected by police violence. They also stated that her decision to reintroduce the Helping Families Heal Act was in line with her role as a member of the progressive "Squad" and aligned with her previous advocacy work as a Black Lives Matter organizer.
Mike Brown should be turning 28 today, but his life was taken by a Ferguson police officer.
In Mike’s honor and alongside his mother, Lezley McSpadden, I am reintroducing the Helping Families Heal Act, also known as the Mike Brown Bill. #HelpUsHeal pic.twitter.com/uVnSmSyODj
— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) May 20, 2024
In a video shared along with the announcement, Bush spoke about how the legislation would benefit families who have been "harmed by police violence." She also paid tribute to Brown, saying, "Happy Birthday Mike Brown, rest in power."
While Bush's announcement sparked a debate online, it also brought attention to another development related to the congresswoman. It was revealed that the Department of Justice had issued a grand jury subpoena to investigate Bush's campaign's spending on security services. This information was made public during the House session on Monday, but the focus of the federal probe was not disclosed at the time.
According to two sources, the Justice Department's investigation is looking into Bush's use of security funds. However, the member being investigated was not identified until Tuesday, when multiple sources confirmed that it was Bush.
This investigation comes on the heels of allegations made against Bush in February when she married her security guard and continued to keep him on her campaign payroll. Conservative watchdog groups filed complaints against Bush with the Federal Election Commission, citing potential violation of laws barring lawmakers from paying family members to work in their official offices.
In response to the investigation, Bush issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and confirming her full cooperation with the authorities. She also defended her decision to retain her husband as part of her security team, stating that he had extensive experience in this area and was providing services at or below a fair market rate.
Bush also acknowledged the relentless threats she has faced since her election in 2020 and the need for security services as a rank-and-file member of Congress. She further clarified that no federal tax dollars were used for her personal security and claimed that any reporting indicating otherwise was false.
While Bush maintained her innocence and emphasized her cooperation with the probe, she also accused right-wing opponents of politicizing the issue and attacking her on a personal level. She also pointed out that the independent Office of Congressional Ethics had previously investigated the matter and unanimously dismissed it.
Leaders from the Democratic and Republican parties in the House declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated that Bush is entitled to the presumption of innocence and expected the investigation to follow the facts and be conducted in a professional manner.
In the meantime, while the Justice Department continues its probe, Bush's reintroduction of the Helping Families Heal Act has opened up a larger conversation about police reform and accountability. As a vocal advocate for racial justice and a member of the "Squad," Bush's involvement in these issues is likely to continue to be in the spotlight.