Trump campaign lawyer Joe DiGenova is coming under fire from the legal community following his incendiary remark on Monday saying that Chris Krebs — the cybersecurity official who was fired by President Trump after assuring the public that the 2020 election was secure — should be “taken out at dawn and shot.”
DiGenova, who is part of Trump’s legal team fanning the flames of baseless lawsuits contesting election results, aired his violent suggestion during a segment on Newsmax’s The Howie Carr Show on Monday.
“Anybody who thinks the election went well, like that idiot Krebs who used to be the head of cybersecurity. That guy is a class A moron,” DiGenova said on Monday. “He should be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot.”
In a statement shared with TPM on Tuesday, DiGenova said that his comments were “made in jest” and “hyperbole.”
“For anyone listening to the Howie Carr Show, it was obvious that my remarks were sarcastic and made in jest. I, of course, wish Mr. Krebs no harm,” DiGenova said. “This was hyperbole in a political discourse.”
Krebs did not take DiGenova’s insinuation lightly.
The morning after DiGenova appeared to incite violence against the former cybersecurity official, Krebs excoriated DiGenova for exhibiting “more dangerous language, more dangerous behavior” before going onto hint at legal action against the Trump campaign lawyer, during an interview on NBC News Tuesday morning.
“And the way I look at it is that we are a nation of laws, and I plan to take advantage of those laws,” Krebs said. “I’ve got an exceptional team of lawyers that win in court, and I think they’re probably going to be busy.”
Krebs also told NBC News that his team is looking at their “available opportunities.”
Legal experts swiftly blasted DiGenova shortly after the Trump campaign lawyer suggested violence against Krebs:
I filed this complaint with the DC Bar’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel tonight. You can file a complaint as well, if you have any concerns with the behavior of any of their members.https://t.co/PfDlofd3mC pic.twitter.com/kN7AkYmcPL
— Alex Stamos (@alexstamos) December 1, 2020
DiGenova should be disbarred.
— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) November 30, 2020
#DiGenova used to be respected. That seems eons ago now. He should be ashamed of himself & lawyers everywhere (anyone everywhere) should condemn his comments.
I faced death threats. Had 24/7 armed security. This is despicable what he has likely subjected a career official to. https://t.co/xok1ZIZ4wS
— Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) December 1, 2020
DiGenova is a member of the D.C. Bar (and, unlike Rudy, he appears to be up on his dues). pic.twitter.com/31sE490eY4
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) December 1, 2020
The president’s own attorney just called for the murder of a former Trump appointee for doing his job. So, yes, do tell me more about sharp tweets by a nominee.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) December 1, 2020
