Freshman Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) has been busy since being elected. He’s been accused of being horny on Pinterest and was called out for stretching the truth about training for the Paralympic Games, both of which he denies. Cawthorn’s even been mocked for his signature.
Now, a casually misinformed tweet has Cawthorn in his critics’ crosshairs yet again.
On Thursday, Cawthorn tweeted a link to an article about the Vatican requiring employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine at penalty of losing their jobs, with exceptions made for those with certain health conditions.
“This doesn’t sound legal…” the 25-year-old mused. “One shouldn’t be forced against their will to be vaccinated. The vaccination is there for those who want it, and are in need of it due to medical vulnerabilities.”
Cawthorn seems unaware that the Holy See, which encompasses Vatican City, is a sovereign state. Its ruler, Pope Francis, can create any rule he pleases without regard to American law.
People wasted no time educating the Republican congressman.
“Sir, you are aware the Vatican is a sovereign city state, governed by an absolute monarch? It’s not governed by American law, let alone wingnut cosplay law,” Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall commented.
“What law, exactly, do you imagine the Vatican needs to follow?” wondered another Twitter user.
Numerous people noted the dichotomy between how Cawthorn and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) were spending their time as much of the country, and particularly Texas, suffers a historic winter storm that has killed nearly 50 people thus far.
“AOC raised a million dollars for Texas food banks yesterday, Madison Cawthorn is focused on the inner workings of the Vatican’s vaccination policy because ‘Merica,” pointed out Tony Frontier.
Some were puzzled at Cawthorn taking issue with the decree, given his reputation for having a penchant for authoritarianism.
“Wait ‘til you find out about their marriage laws. Hoo boy,” tweeted Helen Kennedy.
“Famed Vatican law expert Maddy Cawthorn has opinions,” said one.
“Take it up with the Pope lol,” suggested @notthechips.