Republicans have become very good at one thing more than the Democrats, and that is sinking each other’s ships even before the opposing party has a chance to.
That happened this weekend to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after her plans for an “America First” caucus in Congress were leaked to the press, CNN reported.
Conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is scrapping the planned launch of her “America First” caucus after receiving blowback from leaders in her own party, despite confirming through a spokesperson on Friday that the caucus would launch.
Greene’s spokesperson, Nick Dyer, said to CNN in an email on Saturday that the Georgia Republican is not “launching anything.”
“The Congresswoman wants to make clear that she is not launching anything. This was an early planning proposal and nothing was agreed to or approved,” he said, in reference to an early proposal that was obtained by Punchbowl News.
He said that “she didn’t approve that language and has no plans to launch anything.”
But that is a contrast from what Dyer said on Saturday when he said “Be on the look out for the release of the America First Caucus platform when it’s announced to the public very soon.”
Greene in a series of tweets Saturday afternoon also claimed that the staff-level draft proposal of her “America First” caucus is “from an outside group that I hadn’t read.” She also accused the media of creating “false narratives” and focusing on race to “divide the American people with hate through identity politics.”
Greene suggested in her tweets she plans to move forward with advocating for former President Donald Trump’s America First agenda.
The flier promoting the new caucus calls for a “common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions” and pushes a series of conspiracy theories about election integrity.
The flier also outlined a nativist argument warning that “mass immigration” poses a threat to “the long-term existential future of America as a unique country with a unique culture and a unique identity.”
Many derided the group as racist because it would be a caucus the promotes Anglo Saxon traditions, but those same people do not appear to have an issue with the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus or the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
But it was the Republicans, who are quick to form a circular firing squad, who came out strong against it that stunned many.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California representative, said that the new caucus did not reflect the ideals of the Republican Party.
“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,” he said in a tweet.
And Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger was one of the strongest voices against it, but he has also been one of the strongest voices against Trump.
“Just when I was hoping to take a long weekend away from crazy I see this. Completely disgusted,” he said.
“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,” he said.
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“When Matt says he’s joining the white supremacy caucus,” he then said, referencing Rep. Gaetz.
But a representative for Rep. Taylor Greene hit back at the media reports about the new caucus.
“Capitol Hill is full of dirty backstabbing swamp creatures willing to leak gossip to borderline tabloids, like Punchbowl News,” spokesman Nick Dyer said. “Be on the lookout for a public release for the America First Caucus platform when it’s released publicly very soon.”