The Political Insider

Judge Peter Cahill opined on Democrat Representative Maxine Waters for her ‘confrontation’ remarks during the trial of Derek Chauvin and advised her words could give the defense could lead to the “whole trial being overturned.”

Cahill, who is presiding over the tension-riddled trial, was responding to arguments by Chauvin defense attorney Eric Nelson, who said her comments could prejudice the jury and were grounds for a mistrial.

“We have U.S. representatives threatening acts of violence in relation to this specific case,” Nelson said. “It’s mind-boggling.”

Cahill denied the motion, but excoriated Waters (D-CA) and other politicians, and suggested Waters handed the defense a successful path to appeal should their client be convicted for the death of George Floyd.

“I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function,” Cahill said.

“If they want to give their opinions, they should do so … in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution,” he added.

Cahill also said that he didn’t think Waters’ comments prejudiced the jury at that time: “Their failure to do so, I think, is abhorrent, but I don’t think it’s prejudiced us with additional material that would prejudice this jury.”

And while denying the motion, Cahil added: “I grant you Congresswoman Waters may have handed you grounds for appeal and the turning over of this trial.”

RELATED: Marjorie Taylor Green To Introduce Bill To Expel Maxine Waters From Congress Over ‘Dangerous Rhetoric’

Chauvin Trial Judge On Maxine Waters

The judge presiding over the trial of Derek Chauvin was chagrined over Maxine Waters’ remarks which some have argued advocated for further violence in the city of Minneapolis if the jury doesn’t issue a guilty verdict.

“We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational,” she said, according to video from the scene by a group called Unicorn Riot. “We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business.”

She added that if there is any other outcome, “we cannot go away.”

“I hope that we’re going to get a verdict that will say guilty, guilty, guilty,” Waters said.

Waters and her defenders insist her comments were not a call for violence.

After hearing word of Cahill’s rebuke of her comments, a defiant Waters stated she had said nothing that could hand the defense an argument for appeal.

“The judge says my words don’t matter.” she told CNN.

When asked about whether or not her words could lead to a possible appeal, she replied: “Oh no, no they didn’t.”

Waters didn’t back down from her comments either, vowing to fight against Republican ‘bullying’ toward her.

“Republicans will jump on any word, any line and try to make it fit their message and their cause for denouncing us and denying us, basically calling us violent,” she told The Grio.

“This is who they are and this is how they act,” added Waters. “And I’m not going to be bullied by them.”

RELATED: DeSantis Signs ‘Anti-Riot’ Bill That Enhances Penalties For Crimes Committed During A Riot

Republicans Want Waters Punished, Democrats Dig In To Defend

Several Republicans are expressing their desire to have the Democrat congresswoman punished for her comments.

House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy moved for censure of Waters, saying she clearly “believes there is value in violence.”

“You had a judge announce that it was wrong,” he said in an interview on ‘Fox News Primetime.’ “I think this takes action especially when she has a pattern of this behavior.”

By contrast, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) insisted Waters had nothing to apologize for.

“Maxine talked about confrontation in the manner of the civil rights movement,” she said before adding, “No, I don’t think she should apologize.”

Pelosi couldn’t even find it within herself to admit Waters’ comments could incite violence, replying to the notion, “No, absolutely not.”

Still, McCarthy claims he could get up to 15 Democrats crossing the aisle to vote in favor of his resolution to censure Waters.

“It will all come down to the pressure of what Democrats will put on them to just try to vote to table it – not even to have the discussion,” he suggested.