Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia's congresswoman from the 14th District, was seen in a video posted over the weekend refusing to wear a mask while lawmakers in Washington, D.C., were in protected isolation as pro-Trump rioters took control of the Capitol building.
After the riot that left five people dead - including one Capitol police officer - several lawmakers have tested positive for COVID-19.
In the video, posted on Twitter, Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware is seen offering masks to lawmakers as they were ushered into rooms as rioters stormed the Capitol.
Greene has been a strong opponent of masks in general, tweeting that they are oppressive mind control devices and should be worn only by the elderly and the most vulnerable, despite scientific evidence that they work to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
While Northwest Georgia continues to deal with the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the state, Greene has said, "strict mask mandates [and] forced social distancing violate Americans' guaranteed freedom of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness."
"Americans should be able to choose a mask or not, and more importantly how many loved ones they invite to Thanksgiving," she tweeted in November.
"Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware approached a group of maskless Republicans -- Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Markwayne Mullin, Andy Biggs, Scott Perry and Michael Cloud -- seemingly offering them masks [during the riot]" via @PunchbowlNews https://t.co/aBBAzprdHh pic.twitter.com/NmPUo3T7Va
— Michael Leibel (@leibelmichael) January 8, 2021
In another tweet, Greene said students in Georgia go to school without masks, even though masks are required in several of the school systems in Greene's district.
"In Georgia, we work out, shop, go to restaurants, go to work, and school without masks," Greene tweeted. "My body, my choice."
Less than a month into her tenure in Congress, Greene has made headlines for getting into arguments with other lawmakers and reportedly refused to wear a mask in at least one other instance. When she has worn a mask, she's chosen ones that read "Stop the Steal" and "Trump Won."
Rep. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, one of a number of Republicans who voted to overturn the election results even after the riot, tells Blunt Rochester that he's "not trying to get political" before declining to wear a mask.
Mullin then tells Greene that Blunt Rochester "is a nice lady."
Greene doesn't say anything in the video, but stands with her arms crossed and doesn't take a mask.
The Capitol's attending physician, Brian Monahan, said Sunday the lawmakers "may have been exposed to another occupant with coronavirus infection."
Greene spokesperson Nick Dyer told the Times Free Press, "Congresswoman Greene is a healthy adult who tested negative for COVID at the White House on 1/4. She does not believe healthy Americans should be forced to muzzle themselves with a mask. ... Rep. Greene believes America needs to reopen and get back to normal."
The other lawmakers seen in the video without masks are Reps. Andy Biggs, Scott Perry and Michael Cloud, all Republicans.
On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after contact with another member of Congress he shares a residence with in Washington.
Fleischmann shares a residence with Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning.
"I have been in quarantine since Wednesday night, which is when I learned the individual had tested positive, and [am] following CDC guidance," Fleischmann said in a statement. "I will continue to work for my constituents while self-isolating. I currently feel okay and remain in contact with the Attending Physician. I again, want to urge all Americans to continue to wear masks, practice proper hygiene, and follow CDC guidance as we work to combat COVID-19."
On Monday, Democratic Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announced on Twitter she had tested positive for COVID-19 after sheltering with fellow lawmakers. Coleman said she believes she was exposed during protective isolation.
"As reported by multiple news outlets, a number of members within the space ignored instructions to wear masks," Coleman's staff said in a statement.
Rep. Gwen Moore, a Democrat from Wisconsin, announced she tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 28. Moore traveled to Washington before the CDC's recommended seven to 10 days but was cleared for travel by Monahan, The Hill reported.
Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.