Anderson Cooper did not hold back when it came to questioning Florida's Attorney General Pam Bondi about her stance on LGBTQ equality in the state and how that may have impacted the shootings that occurred in Orlando this weekend.
During a live interview on CNN Tuesday, the journalist grilled Bondi with questions about her views on gay marriage.
"I talked to people here not fans of yours who said that they thought you were being a hypocrite, that you for years have fought—you've basically gone after gay people...and said that in court that gay people, simply by fighting for marriage equality, were trying to do harm to the people of Florida, [and] to 'induce public harm,' I believe was the term you used in court. Do you really think you're a champion of the gay community?"
Bondi was visibly taken back by the question, explaining that she swore on the bible to uphold the "constitution of the state," which does not support gay marriage.
However, Cooper prodded a bit more, asking if she thinks her words—causing "harm to the state of Florida"—could be taken to extremes by people with "bad ideas," referencing the Orlando shooter, Omar Mateen.
"Do you worry about using language accusing gay people of 'doing harm' to the people of Florida when doesn't that send a message to people who might have bad ideas in mind?"
Bondi explained, "Anderson, I don't believe gay people could do harm to the state of Florida," to which he quickly responded, "But you argued that in court."
He continued, "You were arguing that gay marriage, if there was gay marriage, same-sex marriage, that would do harm to the people of Florida. Florida signed it...Are you saying you did not believe it would do harm to Florda?"
"Of course not, of course not," Bondi said. "I never said that. Those words never came out of my mouth."
The subject has been a difficult one for Cooper to report on. During Monday night's CNN show, he had to hold back tears while discussing the tragic events, which left 49 dead and a number of people injured.
Along with photos of the victims, Cooper offered a few facts about the deceased after stating each of the 48 of 49 names that were released, and at one point, he cleared his throat and apologized to viewers as he held back emotions and attempted to regain his composure.
The shooting was named the worst mass shooting in the history of the United States. It began when the gunman (Mateen) stormed Pulse nightclub in Orlando around at 2 a.m. EST on Sunday amid national celebrations that mark LGBT Pride Month. He opened fire with an AR-15 type rifle and a handgun.