Far-right Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives are trying to start a new “America First Caucus” that will “follow in President Trump’s footsteps, and potentially step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation” and will include members who stand for “uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions.”
The caucus was first reported by Punchbowl News, believed to be the brainchild of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ). Now, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — currently facing sex trafficking allegations — has confirmed that he will seek membership in the caucus.
Related: “Comically evil” Marjorie Taylor Greene & Lauren Boebert voted against bone marrow transplants
Recent membership-based startup Punchbowl News shared the reported final policy platform of the new proposed congressional caucus, which seeks to employ infrastructure that has “architectural, engineering and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture.” It also seeks to end giving tax dollars “teaching gender studies in Pakistan” and push for “bold diplomatic endeavors [that] must be undertaken with countries such as Russia and North Korea.”
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Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-TX) was reported as considering membership in the caucus, but claimed it was his understanding that the group is “not supposed to be about race at all” and that he “will go back and look” at the caucus policies. Rep. Barry Moore (R-AK) is also a recipient of an invitation to the caucus.
Anglo-Saxon generally refers to Germanic-descending people that inhabited and ruled on the present-day territories of England and Wales prior to the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century. Due to Hitler’s use of the term, it is often associated and used in connection with white supremacy.
“Let’s just call it what it is: the White Power Caucus, out ex-Congresswoman Katie Hill tweeted. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) said that any member that joins the caucus “should have their committees stripped, and the Republican conference should expel them from conference participation.”
“While we can’t prevent someone from calling themselves Republican, we can loudly say they don’t belong to us,” Kinzinger implored.
“The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans — not nativist dog whistles,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) tweeted in a subliminal message to the proposed caucus.
A spokesperson for Rep. Greene claimed to the Associated Press that the document released by Punchbowl News were not approved by her or her office.
NEW In @PunchbowlNews Midday
A new America First Caucus — led by @mtgreenee and @RepGosar — is recruiting people to join based on “Anglo-Saxon political traditions” architectural style that “befits the progeny of European architecture”
Some of the most nativist stuff we’ve seen pic.twitter.com/diPDItUt2V
— Punchbowl News (@PunchbowlNews) April 16, 2021
As a Congressman of Anglo-Saxon heritage, let me be the first to decline to join this White Nationalism Caucus. https://t.co/yXpcL1Rusv
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 16, 2021
Let’s just call this America First Caucus what it is: the White Power Caucus. https://t.co/055nrCyzE4
— Katie Hill (@KatieHill4CA) April 16, 2021
Since the @HouseGOP is suddenly big defenders of Dr Seuss, they would do well to see one of his most famous cartoons, given their creation of the #americafirstcaucus today. pic.twitter.com/N53PeZqvZs
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) April 16, 2021
Punchbowl Midday: Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar are among several House Republicans set to join the openly-nativist America First Caucus — calling for “respect for Anglo-Saxon political traditions”.
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) April 16, 2021
"It's not supposed to be about race at all," @replouiegohmert tells me when asked about the prospective America First Caucus and its' platform to respect "Anglo-Saxon political traditions." He adds he hasn't joined yet but "will go back and look" at the language. https://t.co/6Omd6KWuSw
— Nikole Killion (@NikolenDC) April 16, 2021
Dear @mtgreenee & @RepGosar: I have some questions about your Anglo-Saxon caucus:
Will non Aryans be allowed to join?
If so, do we have to sit in the back of the room because we’re not white?
Can we have fried rice and nachos during the meetings?
Asking for a friend. https://t.co/WkD0ZIRCxr
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 17, 2021
The Anglo-Saxon caucus created by @mtgreenee and @RepGosar has apparently admitted Matt Gaetz.
I wonder if their caucus has secret signals and means of communications, like secret Aryan Venmo handles? https://t.co/lXdYzKchOI
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) April 17, 2021
How unshocking that you'll join a literal "Anglo-Saxon" white supremacist caucus.
— JoeMyGod (@JoeMyGod) April 16, 2021
Anglo-Saxon here. This is some pretty blatant white supremacist bullshit here. https://t.co/D7xEnAsktV
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) April 16, 2021
— Brian Sims (@BrianSimsPA) April 16, 2021
I believe anyone that joins this caucus should have their committees stripped, and the Republican conference should expel them from conference participation. While we can’t prevent someone from calling themselves Republican, we can loudly say they don’t belong to us. https://t.co/ULEF5MRyWf
— Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) April 16, 2021
Republicans believe in equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all. We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage. Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches we all have an obligation to confront & reject such malicious hate.
— Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) April 16, 2021
America is built on the idea that we are all created equal and success is earned through honest, hard work. It isn’t built on identity, race, or religion.
The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans—not nativist dog whistles.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) April 16, 2021
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