Democratic congresswoman seen making obscene gesture during baseball game

The Congressional Baseball Game is an annual Washington event in which lawmakers from both parties are expected to engage in friendly competition.

Yet as the Daily Caller reported, Friday’s game took an unfriendly turn after a Democratic congresswoman made an obscene gesture towards her GOP opponents. 

At one point in the evening, California Rep. Linda T. Sanchez was seen raising her middle finger as she passed by the Republican dugout.

Democrat Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA) flips off the Republican dug out. Her team got blown out 10-0.pic.twitter.com/CgPOaEsLs4

— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) July 29, 2022

Congresswoman says finger was raised “in the heat of the moment”

Sanchez later provided a statement to Daily Caller in which she claimed that her gesture was made in response to an offensive comment.

“The Congressional Baseball Game is one of my favorite events of the year,” Sanchez was quoted as telling the website. “It’s a great cause and brings both sides of the aisle together for a night off from partisan politics.”

“That is why it really struck a nerve when I heard an offensive and misogynistic comment from the Republican side on my way back to the dugout,” she continued.

“In the heat of the moment, I reacted. I have no tolerance for men who make women feel like they are unimportant or don’t belong – especially on the field. I will always stand against that kind of bigotry.”

Republicans targeted in 2017 attack

This is not the first time that the Congressional Baseball Game has made headlines, as in 2017 an armed man opened fire on a group of Republicans who were practicing for the event.

According to Fox News, 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson wounded then House Majority Whip Steve Scalise before being killed by Capitol Police officers.

Hodgkinson was identified as a supporter of progressive Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Fox News noted that Sanders quickly issued a statement condemning the shooter’s crime.

“Let me be as clear as I can be,” the senator was quoted as saying. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.”