This weekend, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer did what most of us do when we are unencumbered from work responsibilities: He ran some boring errands.
Unlike the lot of us, however, Spicer is one of the most public figures of the Trump administration, and so when he leaves the house, he can’t reasonably expect privacy. But he probably didn’t expect to be harassed and harangued quite like what happened this weekend.
While at an Apple store, a woman by the name of Shree confronted the press secretary and posted the experience to Twitter and Periscope.
https://twitter.com/shreec/status/840684951154614273
“How does it feel to work for a fascist,” she shouts at Spicer, before demanding to know if he’s committed treason.
Spicer responds with, “It’s such a great country that allows you to be here.”
She continues to follow around and berate him: “You know you work for a fascist … How do you feel about destroying our country?”
After issuing that one response, Spicer mostly tried to demur and move away from her until the video ended. Afterward, Shree took to Medium to say she was offended by the way he handled the situation.
…his words were clear.
“Such a great country that allows you to be here.”
That is racism and it is an implied threat. Think about the sheer audacity of Mr. Spicer to say that to my face with a smile, knowing that he that he is being recorded on video and the position of power he holds in our government.
“Such a great country that allows you to be here.”
I am still stunned by the boldness of having my citizenship threatened on camera.
Many publications ran with Shree’s interpretation that Spicer was talking about her being allowed to be in America, but it’s equally as plausible he was saying, such a great country that allows you to be here in this Apple store, speaking to a public official like this without fear of reprisal.
H/T Mediaite
