Marjorie Taylor Greene cans controversial America First caucus that wanted to promote 'Anglo Saxon traditions' after blowback from Kevin McCarthy
Conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is now said to be abandoning the launch of her 'America First' caucus having received criticism from leaders in her own party.
The turnaround comes less than 24 hours after the Georgia Republican confirmed that the caucus would indeed launch.
On Saturday, Greene's spokesperson, Nick Dyer said the Republic is not 'launching anything.'
Marjorie Taylor Greene is abandoning her plan to launch a right-wing congressional group dubbed the America First Caucus
Greene suggested in a tweet that she still has plans to move forward on advocating for former President Donald Trump's America First agenda
'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,' Dyer said in an email to CNN that backtracked the plans.
'She didn't approve that language and has no plans to launch anything,' he said.
On Friday, Greene's office had confirmed that she would launch the caucus 'very soon.'
'Be on the look out for the release of the America First Caucus platform when it's announced to the public very soon,' Dyer had written in a statement on Friday.
On Saturday, Greene attempted to distance herself from the caucus proposal claiming that it was from an outside group that I hadn't read.'
On Saturday afternoon, Greene went on to claim her draft proposal of her 'America First' caucus was 'from an outside group that I hadn't read.'
She then went on to accuse the media of creating 'false narratives' and focusing on race to 'divide the American people with hate through identity politics.'
But in a tweet she suggested she still has plans to move forward on advocating for former President Donald Trump's America First agenda.
'I have plans to drive President Trump's America First agenda with my Congressional colleagues but we won't let the media or anyone else push the narrative. America First policies will save this country for all of us, our children, and ultimately the world.'
On Friday night Hard-right House Republicans had touted their America First Caucus, with one document describing it as championing 'Anglo-Saxon political traditions' and warning that mass immigration was putting the 'unique identity' of the U.S. at risk.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) said Friday that he is joining the caucus. 'We will end wars, stop illegal immigration & promote trade that is fair to American workers,' he tweeted
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said he was joining and indicated that fellow conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., was also behind it.
The document was being circulated as the GOP is struggling to determine a clear direction as it prepares to try winning back control of the House and Senate in the 2022 elections.
Among the party's divisions are how closely to tack behind Donald Trump, and the caucus' seven-page policy platform clearly embraces the former president's world view.
'The America First Caucus (AFC) exists to promote Congressional policies that are to the long-term benefit of the American nation,' it read, saying the group aims to 'follow in President Trump's footsteps, and potentially step on some toes and sacrifice sacred cows for the good of the American nation.'
The group calls for limiting legal immigration 'to those that can contribute not only economically, but have demonstrated respect for this nation's culture and rule of law.' It voices support for infrastructure 'that reflects the architectural, engineering and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture.'
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., issued a critical tweet that was aimed at the group
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) appeared to criticize the new caucus in a Friday afternoon tweet, saying the GOP 'is the party of Lincoln ... not nativist dog whistles.'
Democrats including Representative Peter Welch denounced the caucus on Twitter as 'nakedly racist and disgusting.' 'This supposed caucus and its members represent a dangerous nativist perspective that hurts our country, but sadly is not surprising,' Welch added.
Representative Don Beyer referred to the group as the 'White Supremacist Caucus' on Twitter.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., issued a critical tweet that an aide confirmed was aimed at the group.
'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,' McCarthy wrote. 'The Republican Party is the party of Lincoln & the party of more opportunity for all Americans-not nativist dog whistles.'
Asked to provide a copy of the caucus document, Greene spokesman Nick Dyer said in an email: 'We aren´t circulating anything. This was a typical DC gossip leak.'
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) on Friday told reporters on Capitol Hill that he is 'looking at' joining the group
Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, told reporters he was considering joining the caucus and said, 'Yes,' when asked if Greene and Gosar were involved with it.
Gaetz tweeted: 'I´m proud to join @mtgreenee in the #AmericaFirst Caucus. We will end wars, stop illegal immigration & promote trade that is fair to American workers.' Gaetz is facing a federal investigation for sex trafficking accusations, according to people who have described the probe on condition of anonymity.
GOP conference chair Liz Cheney responded about the new caucus from Greene in a tweet
Cheney tweeted rejecting the idea of the caucus on Friday
GOP conference chair Liz Cheney responded about the new caucus from Greene 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,' she wrote. 'Racism, nativism, and anti-Semitism are evil. History teaches we all have an obligation to confront & reject such malicious hate.'
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said that he was 'disgusted' over reports about the caucus.
'While we can't prevent someone from calling themselves Republican, we can loudly say they don't belong to us,' he wrote on Twitter.
The document aims some of its toughest language at immigration. President Joe Biden's administration has struggled to handle large numbers of migrants at the Southwest border and has had little success winning legislation in Congress.
'America is a nation with a border, and a culture, strengthened by a common respect for uniquely Anglo-Saxon political traditions,' the paper says. 'History has shown that societal trust and political unity are threatened when foreign citizens are imported en-masse into a country.'
GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois said that he was 'disgusted' over reports about the caucus
Kinzinger suggested that anyone who joined the caucus should lose committee privileges
It adds that 'the long-term existential future of America as a unique country with a unique culture and a unique identity being put at unnecessary risk is something our leaders' cannot ignore.
The document espouses Trump's false claims that 'recent election results demonstrate a compromised integrity of our elections.'
It proposes curbing high technology firms that are 'weaponized and deployed against conservatives' and lambasts steps against the pandemic like mandates for masks, social distancing and lockdowns for 'conditioning the culture and behavior of Americans' and destroying the economy.
It says 'better waste management' would be more helpful for the environment than Paris Climate Accord efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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