Rep. Dave Taylor claimed on Thursday that the swastika pictured in one of his staffer’s cubicles this week was part of a larger “ruse” that targeted several Republican congressional offices.
“New details have emerged from a coordinated investigation into the vile symbol that appeared in my office,” Taylor said in a statement on Thursday. “Numerous Republican offices have confirmed that they were targeted by an unidentified group or individual who distributed American flags bearing a similar symbol, which were initially indistinguishable from an ordinary American flag to the naked eye. My office was among those that were subjected to this ruse.”
A photo of the flag hanging in the cubicle of Taylor’s staffer Angelo Elia was first reported by Politico on Wednesday. The altered American flag was pinned next to a pocket Constitution, and featured red and white lines in the shape of a swastika.
“After a full-scale internal investigation, I am confident that no employee of this office would knowingly display such a despicable image, and the flag in question was taken down immediately upon the discovery of the obscured symbol it bore,” Taylor continued. “As I’ve said previously, I unequivocally condemn hate in any form and continue to collaborate with Capitol Police and the Committee on House Administration to uncover additional details in this investigation.”
Hill staffers confirmed to The Hill and Politico on Thursday that the flags were delivered to multiple congressional offices, but argued against Taylor’s claim the Nazi symbol was “indistinguishable” from a regular American flag.
“It was plainly obvious to us that there was a swastika on the flag with the naked eye,” the staffer said. There was no investigation, and the flag was thrown away, “like we would hate mail,” a GOP staffer told Politico.
When asked about the flag on Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “Obviously, we roundly condemn any of that nonsense,” but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.