Angry Public Sentiment Over US COVID Relief Fund Increase Failure

Damage to Republican Senate Majority Leader's Home, Graffiti Saying "Mitch Kills Poor People"
Democratic House Speaker's Home Also Vandalized... Demands for '2000 Dollars' and 'Rent Cancellation'

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] In the United States, after an attempt to increase individual stimulus payments in response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) failed, an incident occurred where the home of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was vandalized.

Earlier, on New Year's Day, a report of property damage was also filed at the home of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

According to the New York Times (NYT) and the Associated Press (AP) on the 2nd (local time), in the early morning, someone spray-painted "Where is my money?" on the front door of Mitch McConnell's residence in Louisville, Kentucky.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Red and white spray paint graffiti reading "Mitch kills poor people" was also found on the windows of the house.

Louisville police reported that the incident occurred around 5 a.m. and have begun searching for suspects.

Earlier, at 2 a.m. on New Year's Day, a report of property damage was filed at a house in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. Local media including the San Francisco Chronicle reported that this house belongs to Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat.

On the garage door of Speaker Pelosi's home, phrases such as "2000 dollars" and "Cancel the rent" were written, and a pig's head and fake blood were also found. San Francisco police have launched an investigation.

The consecutive vandalism incidents at the homes of two representatives of the bipartisan congressional leadership occurred after Majority Leader McConnell blocked an attempt to increase the COVID-19 stimulus payment from the existing $600 to $2000 on December 29.

The stimulus increase demanded by President Donald Trump passed the House, led by the Democrats, but the Republican majority in the Senate refused to begin debate on the bill.

Majority Leader McConnell issued a statement saying, "I have spent my life fighting for the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of expression, and have supported peaceful protests," but added, "However, vandalism and politics of fear have no place in our society," strongly condemning the acts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.