Pelosi Torched for Warning US Athletes Not to Risk ‘Incurring the Anger’ of Chinese Gov’t With Protests

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is facing criticism after she warned U.S. athletes attending the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, against speaking out against human rights abuses in the games’ host country.

During the Congressional Executive Commission on China hearing on Thursday, Pelosi said, “I would say to our athletes, you’re there to compete. Do not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government because they are ruthless.”

“I know there is a temptation on the part of some to speak out while they are there. I respect that, but I also worry about what the Chinese government might do to their reputations, to their families,” she added.

Pelosi’s comments came a day before the opening ceremony of the Olympics and did not go over well with some:

China has been accused of detaining over 1 million members of the Muslim Uyghur minority group in the northwest region of Xinjiang and subjecting them to forced labor, torture, and sexual assaults. It has also faced allegations that it committed genocide against the Uyghurs.

In December, White House Press Secretary Jen Psakiannounced, “The Biden administration will not send any diplomatic or official representation to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games given the PRC’s ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses.”

“The athletes on Team USA have our full support. We will be behind them 100% as we cheer them on from home. We will not be contributing to the fanfare of the games,” she added.

In addition to concerns about potential repercussions for speaking out, athletes were also warned against bringing their personal cellphones or other electronics to China due to “cybersecurity concerns.” Instead, they were encouraged to bring burner phones to the games.