Marjorie Taylor Greene Launches ‘America First’ Caucus Pushing For ‘Anglo-Saxon Political Tradition’

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Punchbowl News obtained a flyer promoting the new caucus, which calls for a “common respect for exclusively Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and promotes a series of conspiracy theories about the integrity of the elections. The flyer also outlined a nativist argument that “mass immigration” poses a threat to “the long-term existential future of America as a unique country with a unique culture and unique identity.”

A Greene spokesman, Nick Dyer, complained about the leaking of the initial draft of the flyer, but confirmed to CNN in a statement that there were plans to form the group, which will be “announced to the public very soon.”

Embattled Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who is under federal investigation for allegations of sex trafficking and prostitution, tweeted Friday: “I am proud to join @mtgreenee in the #AmericaFirst Caucus. We will end wars, stop illegal immigration and promote fair trade for American workers This is just one hit from the America Last crowd at Big Media, Big Tech & Big Government. “

Congressional caucuses are voluntary groups generally made up of legislators who seek to advance certain political agendas. While the groups operate outside the formal legislative structure of Congress, many have been successful in influencing the debate and expanding their shared political prescriptions.

CNN has reached out to Republican Representatives Paul Gosar of Arizona, Louie Gohmert of Texas and Representative Barry Moore of Alabama, whom Punchbowl News reported participating in the caucus.

A spokesman for Moore told CNN in a statement: “Congressman Moore unconditionally supports President Trump’s America First agenda and policies that prioritize working Americans. He will not agree to join any caucuses until he has had a chance to investigate his platform, which has not had “. the opportunity to do it with the America First Caucus and therefore has not joined. “

Lawmakers are known to be on the far-right side of the Republican Party, and their rhetoric is often designed to grab headlines. The rhetoric surrounding the protection of American identity and “exclusively Anglo-Saxon political traditions” links to a toxic argument with a racist legacy that immigrants are “replacing” Americans who were born in the United States.

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Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania evoked a similar argument during a subcommittee hearing earlier this week to examine why those from Central American countries comprise a disproportionate number of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

“For many Americans, what appears to be happening or what they believe is happening right now is what feels like we are replacing US-born Americans – Native Americans to permanently transform the political landscape of this very nation,” Perry . saying.

Recently, Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson also made similar comments, underscoring how certain Republican lawmakers and right-wing media personalities echo and thus potentially legitimize the arguments that white nationalists and nativists have made during years.

The House voted in February to remove Greene, a Georgia freshman, from her committee assignments after reports emerged of her comments showing her encouragement of political violence, suggesting that the school shooting of Parkland, Florida, was a “false flag” operation and a conspiratorial claim. that a space laser controlled by Jewish financiers started a wildfire in California in 2018.

She has tried to make a name for herself by being an outsider and mob agitator and routinely uses parliamentary procedures to slow down the affairs of the House, much to the dismay of her colleagues.

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But the tactics have helped her gain support on the far right, and this week her campaign announced that she had raised $ 3.2 million in the first three months in office, a staggering amount for a first-year member.

Following news of the new caucus on Wednesday, Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois tweeted: “Just when I was expecting to take a long weekend away from the madness, I see this.”

“Completely upset,” he said.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, tweeted Friday afternoon: “The Republican Party is Lincoln’s party and the party of most opportunity for all Americans, not the whistles of nativist dogs “.

Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney, the No. 3 Republican in the House, responded to reports of Greene’s new caucus in a tweet.

“Republicans believe in equal opportunity, freedom and justice for all. We teach our children the values of tolerance, decency and moral courage,” he wrote. “Racism, nativism and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches that we all have an obligation to confront and reject this malicious hatred.”

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