Texas legislator’s public takedown of rightwinger goes viral after Leslie Jones tweets about it

“I don’t know who this man is, but protect him at all costs!!” comedian and actor Leslie Jones tweeted along with a video that has gone viral.

Texas state Rep. James Talarico (D), a staunch LGBTQ+ ally, is the courageous and clever politician shown dismantling a bill sponsored by a rightwing Republican that would require classrooms to display a poster of the Ten Commandments.

Related:

This indie band’s rocking takedown of Ron DeSantis is all over social media

Life on social media is measured in minutes. So why is Sub-Radio’s Pride month viral hit still going strong?

While interrogating the bill’s sponsor, Talarico questioned her brand of Christianity, pointing out that her bill and line of reasoning for displaying the posters were contrary to Biblical teaching. He cited Bible passages and fundamental theology and point-blank asked if she knew the basics about her own religion. Talarico is also a Christian.

Insights for the LGBTQ+ community

Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more.

Daily

Weekly

Good News

The bill’s sponsor dodged and weaved and sputtered through her responses, unable to directly tackle his line of questioning.

“A religion that has to force people to put up a poster to prove its legitimacy is a dead religion,” he said. “And it’s not one that I want to be a part of. It’s not one that I think I am a part of.”

“You know that scripture says that ‘faith without works’ is what?” he asked her.

“Dead,” she reluctantly replied.

“My concern is that instead of bringing a bill that will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, we’re instead mandating that people put up a poster,” he said, driving the point home.

Later in his four-minute line of questioning, he specifically targeted the legislature’s recent “Don’t Say Gay” law that prevents teachers and administrators from mentioning LGBTQ+ topics or people in schools.

He focused on claims that parental consent should be required and that even benign symbols of support like a Pride flag or rainbow are “indoctrination.”

He asked her if she would be okay if teachers were required to get parental consent before displaying the poster. She was not.

“Do you believe schools are for education and not indoctrination?” he asked.

“Absolutely,” she replied.

“I guess what I’m trying to figure out is why is having a rainbow in a classroom considered indoctrination and not having the Ten Commandments in a classroom,” he said.

“Democrats fight for the people; for the many against the powerful few—whether they’re bullies, bigots, or billionaires. That’s why I fight for Texans every day in our state Capitol,” Talarico says on his website. And he has the receipts to back it up.

Named one of the 10 Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine, he has led fights to protect voter rights, defend trans youth, tackle police reform, and support the LGBTQ+ community.

One person was particularly effusive in their response to Jones’ tweet.

“I live in Texas,” they posted. “James is, imo, going to one day be my state’s governor, could end up President one day. Take a few minutes and scroll through, read all of his postings. He’s a good man, Leslie – a very good man.”

I don’t know who this man is but protect him at all costs!! He finally broke it down. So much she had no come back! See the God yall worshipping is yourself and your opinions!! I love how he use the word, the one she claims to know in his argument! Sadly they still won’t get it.… pic.twitter.com/KHqrVf5SHC

— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) January 23, 2024