Tuesday, Congresswoman Maxine Waters found herself under attack. The outspoken California Democrat has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump since he took office, labeling his associates the “Kremlin klan” and proclaiming that she is “out to get him.” When asked to comment on her strident anti-Trump stance, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly brushed the congresswoman’s thoughts aside with a flippant joke about her hair.

“I didn’t hear a word she said,” O’Reilly said on Fox & Friends. “I was looking at the James Brown wig. If we have a picture of James, it’s the same wig.”

O’Reilly was roundly criticized across social media for his comments–and he later apologized–and many, including me, couldn’t wait for Waters to go all the way in on the TV host.

Later that evening on MSNBC, Waters put her critics on notice, explaining, “I cannot be intimidated.”

“Let me just say this. I’m a strong Black woman, and I cannot be intimidated,” Waters told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes. “I cannot be undermined, I cannot be thought to be afraid of Bill O’Reilly, or anybody.”

During her appearance, Waters also sent a message to women who find themselves in the crosshairs of critics, especially during these contentious political times.

“I would like to say to women everywhere: don’t allow these Right Wing talking heads, these dishonorable people to intimidate you or scare you,” she said. “Be who you are, do what you do.”

Waters continued: “We know when a woman stands up and speaks truth to power that there will be attempts to put her down. I’m not going to be put down, I’m not going to go anywhere. I’m going to stay on the issues.”

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