Embattled Virginia Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax Stuns With Surprise Speech Comparing Himself to Lynching Victims

The embattled Lt. Governor of Virginia, Justin Fairfax, compared himself to victims of lynchings in a surprise speech on Sunday from the rostrum of the state’s Senate chamber.

According to the Associated Press, which reported on his words, Fairfax’s comments came during an impassioned speech defending himself against the rising calls for him to resign amid sexual assault allegations.

“I’ve heard much about anti-lynching on the floor of this very Senate, where people were not given any due process whatsoever, and we rue that,” Fairfax said.

Fairfax continued on: “And we talk about hundreds, at least 100 terror lynchings that have happened in the Commonwealth of Virginia under those very same auspices. And yet we stand here in a rush to judgment with nothing but accusations and no facts and we decide that we are willing to do the same thing.”

In a clip played on CNN early Sunday evening, Fairfax is also heard warning against a rush to “political lynchings” without “due process.”

The AP reported that Fairfax’s speech appeared to be impromptu and left the state senators in the room in stunned silence.

Fairfax’s words also divided the lawmakers.

Republican House Majority Leader Del. Todd Gilbert called Fairfax’s words “the worst.”

“That is the worst, most disgusting type of rhetoric he could have invoked,” Gilbert told the AP. “It’s entirely appropriate for him to talk about due process and we would intend to offer him every ounce of it, and he’s welcome to take advantage of that anytime he would like.”

One state lawmaker — who is black — though, said she did not object to Fairfax’s comparison.

“He said what he needed to say,”  Sen. Mamie Locke said. 

Two women have come forward to accuse Fairfax in recent weeks of sexual misconduct. House Republicans announced on Friday that they plan to hold public hearings on the accusations and have invited Fairfax’s accusers to testify.

Fairfax, a Democrat,  has claimed the hearings are no more than a political ploy.

Watch above, via CNN