Georgia Lt. Governor Threatens Delta After Airline Severs NRA Ties
‘Corporations Cannot Attack Conservatives and Expect Us Not to Fight Back’Â Casey Cagle Says
The Lt. Governor of Georgia, Republican Casey Cagle, is threatening Delta Airlines for its decision to sever its relationship with the NRA. At least 20 companies have cut ties to the gun lobby group after the Florida high school massacre.
Casey – who is running to become governor – made very clear he is willing to use his elected office to punish a corporation and infringe on its First Amendment rights, and do so for partisan reasons.
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
— Casey Cagle (@CaseyCagle) February 26, 2018
As Lt. Governor, Cagle serves as the President of the Senate, much as the U.S. Vice President does. That give him tie-breaking rights. But it also gives him power over the disposition of bills, including which committee – if any – they are assigned to.
Georgia’s Republican lawmakers reportedly are furious over Delta’s decision to end its marketing partnership with the NRA. They are in the middle of passing a generous sales tax cut of gas taxes for the airline. It appears that may now be in jeopardy.
Here’s how some on social media are responding:
Attorney:
“I will announce my flagrant violation of the First Amendment in advance so that the courts can enjoin it promptly.†(via @darth) https://t.co/FJCc9ziGBX
— Greg Lipper (@theglipper) February 26, 2018
Attorney and journalist:
The Lt. Gov. of Georgia doesn’t believe corporations have a right to free speech and free association. 🙃 https://t.co/CxdDt2O70h
— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) February 26, 2018
Journalist:
No big deal. Just an elected official corruptly threatening to use his official position to retaliate against companies that don’t do favors for his political supporters.https://t.co/F0KUMWGrCC
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) February 26, 2018
CEO:
Also, as an elected official do you consider it your job to only protect the financial interests of conservatives? Can you note an occasion that you stood up to protect the interests of liberals who were under attack?
— Tom Bonier (@tbonier) February 26, 2018
Entrepreneur:
Pretty sure attacking private companies based on your political stance is illegal, given that you’re a government official. @OfficeGovEthics @CREWcrew @ACLU @lawfareblog @splcenter @RespectableLaw
— William “Cancel Amazon Prime Today” LeGate (@williamlegate) February 26, 2018
Journalist:
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 26, 2018
Image via Facebook
Â
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |