Republican lawmakers condemned pro-Trump caucus emphasizing 'Anglo-Saxon political traditions,' said GOP is not about 'nativism'
Rep. Adam Kinzinger said anyone who joins should be stripped of committee assignments, while Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Liz Cheney condemned nativism.
AP Photo/Brynn Anderson
- GOP lawmakers are reportedly starting a caucus that emphasizes "Anglo-Saxon political traditions."
- Other Republicans came out against it, with Rep. Adam Kinzinger saying members should be punished.
- Reps. Kevin McCarthy and Liz Cheney also post came forward to condemn "nativism" in the GOP.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Multiple Republican lawmakers have come out against an "America First Caucus" created by their colleagues that emphasizes "Anglo-Saxon political traditions."
Punchbowl News reported Friday the caucus was formed by GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar to "follow in President Trump's footsteps, and potentially step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation," according to a document obtained by the outlet.
The document also included a number of false statements concerning immigrants, foreign aid, and US elections, as Insider's Sonam Sheth reported.
A number of Republicans have since condemned the caucus, with Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois saying anyone who joins should be punished by the GOP.
"I believe anyone that joins this caucus should have their committees stripped, and the Republican conference should expel them from conference participation," Kinzinger said in a tweet. "While we can't prevent someone from calling themselves Republican, we can loudly say they don't belong to us."
Read more: Paul Gosar is the GOP's under-the-radar hardcore culture warrior
Kinzinger is a regular critic of former president Donald Trump and his most loyal allies, but some Republicans less critical came out in opposition as well.
"The hatefulness of this statement is only surpassed by its ignorance of American history and values," Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado tweeted of the caucus document.
Others did not mention the caucus by name but came forward to condemn nativism, a policy of protecting the interests of the native-born against those of immigrants, saying it has no place in the GOP.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, a strong ally of Trump, tweeted in an apparent reference to the caucus.
"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," he said. "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
Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming also sought to separate the GOP from some of the ideals outlined in the caucus document.
"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," she said in a tweet.
A number of Trump loyalists plan to join the caucus, according to Punchbowl News, including Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who is currently facing a federal sex-trafficking probe.
Gaetz tweeted he is "proud" to join the caucus.