Two of the most extreme right members of the U.S. House of Representatives spoke at the America First Political Action Conference (AFPAC) in Orlando this past weekend. The event is for pro-Trump white nationalists and organized by Nick Fuentes, a vocal racist and antisemite.
Representatives Paul Gosar of Arizona and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia are facing backlash for their participation, even from their own side of the aisle.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called their attendance at the event—where Fuentes led a chant for Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine and said that young white men were the "secret sauce" of what makes America great—"unacceptable" and emphasized the host's long string of racist and antisemitic rhetoric.
McCarthy relayed his complaints to Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News.
NEW. I just caught up with @GOPLeader on MTG, Gosar attending a white supremacist rally.
He said he plans to meet with @RepMTG this week.
“This is unacceptable.” pic.twitter.com/rw3U2MY50j
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 28, 2022
Since the 117th Congress was sworn in last year, McCarthy has repeatedly come under fire for failing to hold members like Greene and Gosar to account. Greene has often promoted deranged conspiracy theories while Gosar faced backlash for posting an animated video of him and his colleagues killing Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Both of the members were stripped of their committee assignments by House Democrats who were dissatisfied with McCarthy's lack of action.
Now, Ocasio-Cortez is calling out the statement to her millions of Twitter followers, rebuking McCarthy for allowing this toxic climate to continue escalating.
McCarthy has been protecting his little KKK Caucus for years with these toothless statements and meetings.
It’s how he covers for them.
He’s now helped them for so long they’ve escalated their open antisemitism & collaboration w/ white nationalist groups. He’s just as culpable. https://t.co/on4twfags5
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 28, 2022
McCarthy stood on the House floor and passionately defended Rep. Gosar, who also headlined fundraisers for white nationalist orgs & escalated into inciting violence in the House. He made it fair game.
It’s not an exaggeration in the slightest to say he works to protect them.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 28, 2022
Doesn’t want to alienate his base https://t.co/a6m4H5aYgQ
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 1, 2022
Meanwhile, McCarthy has taken swift action against House Republicans who speak out against former President Donald Trump. Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming was removed from her leadership position as House Republican Conference Chair after joining the Select Committee investigating the deadly failed insurrection of January 6. McCarthy has since endorsed her primary opponent.
Social media users joined Ocasio-Cortez in calling the Republican leader out.
Indeed. AOC is spot on here.
Republicans are organizing power on what was once considered the fringes. One of their main vehicles for doing that is the right-wing media. https://t.co/wLtPrnpoN5
— Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) March 1, 2022
Thank you. Don't forget Kevin McCarthy has already said he'd reinstate T*ylor Gr*ene (and Paul G*sar) on committees if Republicans take the House, even saying "they may have better" assignments. https://t.co/MTPLeo8WCo
— Gabe Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 28, 2022
Speak the truth and shame the devil, @AOC https://t.co/eRim0ZASIY
— Drigo 🇯🇲 | BLACK LIVES MATTER (@raerolls) March 1, 2022
I agree with @AOC.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/kZpptalgUI
— Vanessa Gorman🇺🇸 - Good Trouble (@VanessaGorman9) March 1, 2022
I'm here for this. AOC, all day long! https://t.co/128xbWvZUf
— Gary Atkins (@realGaryAtkins) March 1, 2022
The entire Republican establishment condones racism and White Nationalism through their silence. https://t.co/qoedUhEhoJ
— Don Jefferis (@donjefferis214) March 1, 2022
They also liked her use of the term "KKK Caucus."
HA! “KKK Caucus”. You got that right sister. Republicans are the party of white supremacy! PERIOD!!!!! https://t.co/fRaIL8aKBY
— Cliff W (@CliffW08950229) March 1, 2022
Glad to see we aren’t the only ones calling this crew the “KKK Caucus.” https://t.co/38QorMllKc
— No Dem Left Behind (@NoDemLeftBehind) February 28, 2022
LOL @ KKK Caucus https://t.co/vOzmpkOmqp
— JUNIOR (@ACCORDINGtoJr) February 28, 2022
McCarthy vowed to hold a meeting with Greene about her attendance at the event.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images