Torres rips Bowman’s ‘shocking’ rally profanity, ‘unhinged tirade’

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) went after Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) after he led an energetic, profanity-laced rally on Saturday, saying Bowman’s “unhinged tirade” doesn’t represent what a member of Congress should be.

“The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress,” Torres said on X. “There is nothing in Jamaal Bowman’s unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.”

Bowman’s reelection rally, alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), represented the progressives standing up for Bowman as he faces a challenging primary. 

The primary race has focused on the U.S. relationship with Israel, with Bowman critical of the Israeli government and his opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a supporter. Latimer has received significant funding from AIPAC, an Israeli political advocacy group.

“We are going to show f–king AIPAC, the power of the motherf–king South Bronx!” Bowman said at the rally. “People ask me why I got a foul mouth, what am I supposed to do? You’re coming after me! You’re coming after my family! You’re coming after my children! I’m not supposed to fight back?”

“We’re going to show them who the f–k we are!” he added, jumping around the stage.

Bowman’s primary has split the Democratic Party and progressives, with former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) among those who have endorsed Latimer in what other progressives saw as backstabbing an incumbent. Hillary Clinton is also among the high-profile Latimer backers.

Torres’ criticism also represents his falling out with House progressives. He left the Congressional Progressive Caucus earlier this year over a difference in Israel policy. He has not made an endorsement in the race, though has previously threatened to back Latimer publicly.

The congressman told Axios last week that he has a “general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against me.”

“But Bowman’s gratuitous attack on my character might cause me to rethink that rule. Stay tuned,” he said.