Sen. Tim Scott punches back at Joy Reid over 'vile' insult for opposing Ketanji Brown Jackson: 'The most ridiculous thing I've ever heard'

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) responded to MSNBC host Joy Reid on Thursday after she accused him of being the pawn of fellow South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R).

What did Reid say?

On Monday, Scott announced that he would vote against the Supreme Court confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Scott explained his decision saying that "ideology must be the determining factor—not identity—when considering such an important lifetime appointment."

In response, Reid claimed Scott is being "dog-walk[ed]" by Graham and law enforcement, essentially calling him a stooge for Graham's "barking-dog racism."

"Not surprised by anything @SenatorTimScott does," Reid tweeted. "He let @LindseyGrahamSC & the sheriffs dog-walk him and destroy police reform after pretending to work on it and now he'll go along with Lindsey's barking-dog racism against Judge Jackson because: he's Tim Scott."

How did Scott respond?

During an interview on "Fox & Friends," Scott exposed the offensive implications of Joy's accusation.

"What is so offensive about what Joy is saying is that a black man cannot think for himself, that I have to follow somebody else," Scott explained. "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

Just as problematic, Scott said that Reid's criticism demonstrates how Democrats believe black people should be a political monolith.

"It reinforces the liberal elites' approach to minorities who will not fall in line and do what they tell us to do. There are millions of Americans who happen to be black, who want to think for themselves, who will think for themselves," Scott explained. "But the power of the liberal elite wants to attack us like vicious dogs because they do not want anyone standing up opposed to what they are doing, leading our country in the wrong direction.

"It is vile, it is offensive, and we should stop allowing the liberal media to push these stories by their hosts that want one thing and one thing only: progressive, liberal policies that make it harder for African-Americans — not easier," he added.

Sen. Scott: Liberal elites are leading our country in the wrong directionwww.youtube.com

On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Jackson's nomination by a vote of 53-47. The only Republicans who supported Jackson were Sens. Mitt Romney (Utah), Susan Collins -Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).

Jackson will begin serving on Oct. 3 after the Supreme Court returns from its summer recess.