Luis Gutiérrez, the 13-term Illinois congressman who once compared convicted FALN terrorist Oscar López Rivera to George Washington and who described the murder of Kate Steinle by an illegal immigrant as “a little thing”, has announced his retirement from Congress.
Per the Washington Examiner:
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, D-Ill., announced Tuesday afternoon that he will not seek re-election in 2018 because he wants to help Puerto Rico recover from two disastrous hurricanes.
As far as the liberal media is concerned, Gutiérrez’s departure will be felt the most at Univision, which will lose its most strident lawmaker and most frequent guest on Sunday political talker Al Punto. Gutiérrez has been the most frequently-booked guest by far, and while he has been a reliable go-to on a vast array of liberal issues, he will be remembered mostly for his advocacies in support of open-borders policies and for clemency for convicted FALN terrorist Oscar López Rivera.
For years, Gutiérrez had free rein to speak unchecked and unaccountable, but that obviously changed when MRC Latino arrived on the scene in 2014. Two years later, Gutiérrez was still salty over our holding him accountable for dismissing the murder of Kete Steinle as “a little thing”.
Some of Gutiérrez’ other rhetorical bombs include: the time he told President Barack Obama to “pay up” on promises of immigration reform- with interest, the time he directed Univision to cover the May Day riots (and falsely announced related restaurant closings), and of course, his constant fawning over convicted FALN terrorist Oscar López Rivera.
Although it is expected that Univision’s coverage of Gutiérrez’ departure will be equal parts mournful and hagiographic, the network will not want for other, available incendiary bomb-throwers. Univision has lately been instrumental in the national elevation of San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz - a staunch Gutiérrez ally - and no one should be shocked if Puerto Rico's leading socialist separatist steps into that role in advance of an expected 2020 gubernatorial run.
Gutiérrez leaves Congress after achieving his number one policy objective - clemency for convicted FALN terrorist Oscar López Rivera. Notwithstanding his talk of supporting the post-María rebuilding of Puerto Rico, it now appears that Gutiérrez will now take both his pension and a machete to the island, unsolicited (along with outgoing New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz), in order to join a struggle for independence supported by only 2% of the population. This shouldn't shock anyone, either. Here's what we observed earlier this year as the veteran Chicago congressman was glorifying his terrorist comrade during a joint appearance on Univision:
Gutiérrez goes on to say that "One day, soon, I hope to be here, in my homeland, fighting (for Puerto Rico's independence) alongside my brother and leader Oscar López Rivera". If Gutiérrez is so intent on taking up the struggle, then I suggest he resign from Congress, forego his imperial Yankee pension (which is fully vested), pick up a machete, and take his struggle to Puerto Rico. Otherwise, he can go back to Chicago, keep pushing for amnesty, and stop pretending that he speaks for the Puerto Rican community on the island and beyond.
In the end, history will remember Gutiérrez as little more than a race demagogue with terrorist sympathies. Congress is better for losing him, as will be our national discourse. He will not be missed.
Goodbye and good riddance.
