“The View” co-host Joy Behar said Friday that Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin is being charged because the special prosecutor is a “big Republican.”
Democratic Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies decided to charge Baldwin and head armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while filming “Rust” in October 2021. New Mexico special prosecutor Andrea Reeb, a Republican, announced that the actor has been criminally charged with involuntary manslaughter for unintentionally shooting Hutchins on set with a prop gun.
“The DA [special prosecutor] who is indicting him, or whatever the legal term is right now, she’s a big Republican. I’m only saying this because Alec Baldwin is a target for Republicans,” Behar said. “They cannot stand him. I’m not saying anything more than that.”
Behar issued a correction after the commercial break that she mixed up the Democratic DA, Carmack-Altwies, with the special prosecutor.
“I get them mixed up sometimes. So, sue me,” she said.
Co-hosts Alyssa Farah Griffin and guest co-host Rachel Lindsay defended the DA’s decision to prosecute Baldwin. Lindsay said the investigation has found evidence that the actor did not properly ensure proper firearm safety by not checking whether the gun contained bullets at the time. (RELATED: DA Slams Alec Baldwin, ‘Rust’ Crew Members After Actor Charged In Fatal Shooting)
Earlier in the segment, Griffin said there is substantial evidence of negligence on Baldwin’s part and that he “bears responsibility” for the shooting.
Carmark-Altwies told CNN on Thursday that an extensive review and investigation into the case found there is “probable cause” to charge Baldwin and Gutierrez-Reed due to the lack of “safety standards” on the set. She said the tragedy would have been prevented if Baldwin and the others charged had “done their jobs.”
Baldwin has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, telling ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos in a December, 2021, interview that he did not pull the trigger.