Rep. Maxine Waters may have sunk the trial of Derek Chauvin with her abhorrent comments, which I wrote about on Monday.

The California Democrat called over the weekend for continuing rioting if the jury in the Chauvin trial does not convict him in the death of George Floyd.

Chauvin’s defense attorney Eric Nelson petitioned Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill to declare a mistrial on Monday, arguing, “I think [Waters; statements] are reasonably interpreted to be threats against the sanctity of the jury process” and were “threatening and intimidating the jury.”

While Cahill denied the motion he did suggest the statements were harmful. “I’ll give you that Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned,” he added.

“This goes back to what I’ve been saying from the beginning,” Cahill continued. “I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function.”

Nelson had requested numerous times that the jury be sequestered, but Cahill denied all the motions.

“I think if they want to give their opinion they should do so in a respectful and in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution to respect a co-equal branch of government,” Cahill said. “Their failure to do so, I think, is abhorrent, but I don’t think it’s prejudiced us with additional material that would prejudice this jury.”

“A Congresswoman’s opinion really doesn’t matter a whole lot,” the judge said in concluding his comments.

Meanwhile on Monday a growing groundswell of politicians were calling for Water’s head. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to strip Waters of her committee assignments and to bring impeachment hearings against the 82 year-old Democrat.

Pelosi’s office on Monday said the Speaker saw no reason for Waters to apologized for her comments.

McCarthy said he would bring actions if Pelosi would not.

The White House turned their back on Waters call to arms, by suggesting they believe in “peaceful protests.”