Anti-LGBTQ+ Rep. Derrick Van Orden criticized for cursing out teenagers in Capitol

Democratic congress members are criticizing anti-LGBTQ+ Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) for yelling and swearing at a group of teenage Senate pages in the Capitol building. Pages are 16- and 17-year-olds who assist Senate operations.

On Thursday, just after midnight, while giving a late-night tour to about 50 people, Van Orden saw several teens laying on the floor of the Capitol rotunda and taking photographs, The Hill reported.

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“What the f**k are you all doing?” he reportedly yelled at the teens. “Get the f**k out of here. You are defiling the space you [pieces of s**t]. Who the f**k are you?”

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When the teens informed him that they were Senate pages, Van Orden allegedly replied, “I don’t give a f**k who you are… you jack**ses, get out.”

When asked about his comments, Van Orden didn’t deny them but instead insisted that the teens were treating the historic building like a “frat house.”

“The Capitol Rotunda served as a field hospital where countless Union soldiers died fighting to free men in the Civil War,” Van Orden said. “I have long said our nation’s Capitol is a symbol of the sacrifice our servicemen and women have made for this country and should never be treated like a frat house common room…. I would think that I’d be terribly disrespectful to lay on the grave of a soldier that died fighting for freedom.”

Van Orden’s “frat house” complaint is interesting considering that Punchbowl News reported that “Van Orden and staff were heard partying loudly” before he cursed at the teens.

Out gay Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) criticized Van Orden in a tweet that referenced Van Orden’s presence at the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots. He bankrolled the trip with leftover cash from his 2020 campaign.

Noting Van Orden’s comment about soldiers’ graves, Pocan wrote, “[I] Wonder if he told [the same thing] to his fellow insurrectionists, who were beating police officers on the same ground? (Sounds more like [alcohol emojis] to me).”

Wonder if he told that to his fellow insurrectionists, who were beating police officers on the same ground? (Sounds more like 🍻🥃🍸🍹to me) https://t.co/qhCL2zncml

— Mark Pocan (@MarkPocan) July 27, 2023

In a Thursday floor speech Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said, “I understand that late last night, a member of the House majority thought it appropriate to curse at some of these young people — these teenagers — in the rotunda. I was shocked when I heard about it, and I am further shocked at his refusal to apologize to these young people,” The Hill reported.

“I can’t speak for the House of Representatives, but I do not think that one member’s disrespect is shared by this body, by [Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)] and myself.”

McConnell agreed, stating, “Everybody on this side of the aisle feels exactly the same way.”

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) also criticized Van Orden, writing via Twitter, “My message to out-of-line Members of Congress who yell at Senate Pages: Learn to respect others, especially kids.”

My message to the Senate Pages:

This is one of the most amazing experiences you’ll ever have. Take it in. Learn a lot. And of course, have fun.

My message to out-of-line Members of Congress who yell at Senate Pages:

Learn to respect others, especially kids.

— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) July 27, 2023

This is not the first time that Van Orden has been accused of bullying teens.

In 2021, he allegedly verbally harassed and intimidated Kerrigan Trautsch, a 17-year-old volunteer at the Prairie du Chien Memorial Library over a Pride Month display of LGBTQ+ children’s books.

Trautsch said Van Orden was “angry” and that the books offended him and that “taxpayers shouldn’t have to see them.” She said, “His voice was loud, he was aggressive, he had his finger jabbing into (the book) constantly…. He was full-on shouting… and he kept aggressively shoving the books around.”

She called the situation “very uncomfortable [and] threatening.” Van Orden then got a library card, took every single book off the display, and checked it out, leaving the display completely empty.