Gosar, Greene form new caucus
Republican duo promote ‘Anglo-Saxon’ traditions
Two of the most extreme Republicans in Congress are appealing to likeminded lawmakers to join them in a new group that seeks to carry on former President Donald Trump’s agenda attacking immigrants and promoting “Anglo-Saxon” traditions in government and architecture.
Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., are reportedly forming the America First Caucus that seems to pick up Trump’s global grievances where he left them after leaving office in January.
The nativist aims of the group are spelled out in a document obtained by Punchbowl News that makes clear the caucus is willing to “step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation.”
Gosar’s office could not be immediately reached for comment on Friday.
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas., is reportedly considering joining the
caucus.
None of Gosar’s fellow Arizona Republicans in the House could be reached for comment on the matter.
House Democrats condemned the move with rhetoric suggesting the caucus had dangerous ambitions.
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., put it this way in a tweet Friday:
“Dear (Greene and Gosar): When you say Anglo-Saxon, do you mean Aryan? Or master race? Can I join? Will your caucus meetings serve tacos? I served on active duty in the US military to defend your right to form Aryan type organizations. I just wish you wouldn’t do so.”
Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said: “This is the true example of Cancel Culture.”
Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., who is the No. 3-ranking Republican in the House, made clear she viewed the new caucus as hurting the conservative cause.
“Republicans believe in equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all. We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage,” she said in a tweet. “Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches we all have an obligation to confront & reject such malicious hate.”
The caucus seeks to end election fraud, something election officials across the country maintain is not a systemic problem, but echoes Trump’s baseless claims of a stolen election last year.
It blames bureaucrats in Washington for forming a new oligarchy that is “far more decadent, corrosive and hostile to the will of the people” than the monarch the founders feared.
The caucus attacks technology companies for silencing conservatives while enabling pedophiles and terrorists.
On immigration, the caucus seeks to ensure “a common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions,” presumably a swipe against the socialist tag broadly applied to Democrats’ initiatives.
“America’s legal immigration system should be curtailed to those that can contribute not only economically, but have demonstrated respect for this nation’s culture and rule of law,” the document said.
It asserts that immigrants before 1965 “were more educated, earned higher wages, and did not have an expansive welfare state to fall back on when they could not make it in America,” the document said.
Similarly, the caucus seeks infrastructure that “befits the progeny of European architecture.”
It wants to end America’s role as the “world’s policeman” and change an educational system that undermines “pride in America’s great history.”
Gosar was among the loudest voices in Congress claiming fraud and helped lead the “Stop the Steal” rallies that culminated on Jan. 6, when a pro-Trump mob ransacked the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn the election. Five people died in the attack, including a police officer. More than 100 other officers were wounded in the melee.
House Democrats booted Greene, a freshman, from all committees earlier this year after her past remarks condoning violence against top Democrats came to light.
She “liked” on Facebook a 2019 comment that suggested House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., should be executed. Greene has also reacted approvingly to a range of cultural conspiracies, including QAnon.