The Congressional hearing with Peter Strzok the other day was a complete and utter circus. Strzok’s condescending snearing attitude along with the Democrats cheering him on sunk the FBI further into the swamp. These remarks by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) made things even worse.

Yes folks, Cohen really did say he wished Peter Strzok could be given a Purple Heart for having to deal with the big ole meanie Republicans the other day.

Needless to say, actual Purple Heart recipients and others were NOT AMUSED by Cohen’s remarks.

Army veteran Darien Price, who lives in Memphis, said he was “blown away” by what he heard during the televised hearing.

“That’s all I can say without cursing,” Price said in a telephone interview with the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee.

Price is a Purple Heart recipient. He was injured in 2003 in Afghanistan when he was in a tank that came under enemy fire, he said. Initially denied to be a recipient, Price said Cohen’s office helped him with the congressional investigation that led the award in 2009.

“It was very personal to hear what he said. It was like a big slap in the face,” Price said. “It is disrespectful to those alive who wear the Purple Heart but especially to families who lost loved ones to who fought for this country. Truly saddening.”

Saddening and infuriating. Look, a Purple Heart is not an award that is handed out like cotton candy. It is not a participation trophy. Cohen’s remarks diminished the solemnity, honor, and respect of all it stands for.

The Purple Heart was created by General George Washington in August of 1782 and was originally named the Badge of Military Merit. Today the Purple Heart is awarded to those who have been wounded or to the surviving family members of a soldier who either dies of wounds suffered in battle or is killed in action. It is a COMBAT award. So for Cohen to suggest that Peter Strzok was enduring some type of combat the other day and deserved the Purple Heart was a disgusting insult.

https://twitter.com/BrwneyeGirlnBNA/status/1017556825997283328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1017556825997283328&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennessean.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2018%2F07%2F13%2Fsteve-cohen-purple-heart-peter-strzok-hearing%2F783108002%2F

The notion that Peter Strzok deserves a "purple heart" is an insult to the honor, valor, and service of men and women who truly earned its recognition

— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) July 12, 2018

And @RepCohen can say something this disrespectful to Americans that actually served, because the people of Tennessee will keep electing him. He is a disgrace and I’m embarrassed he represents my state! https://t.co/r0dIJOPNSv

— Connie Austin (@ConnieBAustin) July 12, 2018

. @RepCohen should apologize to every wounded veteran and the families of all fallen heroes. Saying Strzok should get a Purple Heart. Disgusting.

— Robert J. O'Neill (@mchooyah) July 13, 2018

Congressman Cohen from my home state of Tennessee wants to give Peter Strzok a Purple Heart.
Just wanted to say that Cohen does not represent my
area.
Thank God

— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) July 14, 2018

Retired Marine Staff Sgt bomb tech Johnny “Joey” Jones was having none of it.

Well, Cohen felt the heat. And decided to issue an apology.

>@RepCohen regrets saying yesterday that Peter Strzok deserved a Purple Heart. pic.twitter.com/53oQ4F0JUa

— Mike DeBonis (@mikedebonis) July 13, 2018

Ok folks, read that again. Is there actually an apology in there? He ‘regrets mentioning the Purple Heart.’  He specifically stated that if he could give Strzok the Purple Heart he would! That’s a bit more than mentioning the medal in passing.

Cohen’s office staff isn’t helping matters.

I called Congressman Stev Cohens office on regards to him wanting to give Peter Strzok a Purple Heart.

The lady that answered exact words…
"Congressman Cohen did not mean to say it in that way. Fox took it out of context."

Wow. Excuses excuses.

— Gordie Harris (@cplpain) July 13, 2018

Cohen was not speaking metaphorically at all. Furthermore, his apology STILL suggests that those in the FBI are one and the same as those who have been awarded the Purple Heart.

Memo to Steve Cohen. This is the apology you should’ve issued.

“My remarks concerning the Purple Heart and Peter Strzok were wrong. I sincerely apologize.”

Instead you used the word regret and threw a whole bunch of verbiage in there regarding Russia, collusion, and attacks on the FBI/Peter Strzok. That wasn’t an apology. That was a political spin to save your hide.