Roll Call photographer Tom Williams on Wednesday morning caught a candid photograph of Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), captain of the Republican congressional baseball team, returning to the Capitol with his sons after a mass shooting at the ballpark in Alexandria, Va.
.@RepJoeBarton and his sons board the subway in the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican's baseball practice in Va. #baseballshooting pic.twitter.com/4lrc80frcj
— Tom Williams (@pennstatetom) June 14, 2017
Barton told the press Wednesday afternoon that his 10-year-old son “had 25 dads” looking out for him as shots rang out, with everyone present making sure the boy was safe and shielded.
Rep. Barton, choked up, talks about his son Jack being on the field today. "He had 25 dads."
— Hallie Jackson (@HallieJackson) June 14, 2017
Rep. Barton, whose son was at practice during shooting: "He had 25 dads. Everybody out there was looking out for him."
— Matt Flegenheimer (@mattfleg) June 14, 2017
"[Son Jack] was at practice this morning," Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) says. "And he had 25 dads — everybody out there was looking after him." pic.twitter.com/VAdZyAd4C0
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 14, 2017
We thought it was a beautiful sentiment, but not everyone was touched by the incident the same way Barton was.
Sandy Hook.
— Sondland Ran a Domestic Political Errand (@bee_langbein) June 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/vegasjful/status/875084221915602945
@RepJoeBarton has been very proud of his "A" rating from the NRA. I hope he can learn and change.
— Law, Science, & Logic ☆ (@lawsciencelogic) June 14, 2017
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Did he get that emotional about all the children at Sandy Hook? What did he change after that?
— David Denomie (@DavidDenomie) June 14, 2017
If there was gun control that wouldn't be necessary
— Katelyn ????️? (@democratandmom) June 14, 2017
Wow, there’s no gun control? That should have been the headline.
Joe, what about all the Sandy Hook dads asking for gun control legislation?
— Michele Martindill (@Docsociology4) June 14, 2017
Barton took $487,000.00 from the NRA and now he knows what the rest of us fear every day from Gun Violence. Coming home to roost. Thanks NRA
— Manolete John Garcia (@MJGarciaKCMO) June 14, 2017
https://twitter.com/JanaBlade1/status/875086701814841344
Ok, but when will Republicans start looking out for the American people?
— Mechadave (@Anumbr1) June 14, 2017
A whole group of chicken shit white men who for once were the targets…
Big deal.— Bea Kinde (@BeaKinde) June 14, 2017