Tag: communism
Sen. Tom Cotton

Republicans Warn That Opposing Racism Is A ‘Communist’ Plot

Reprinted with permission from American Independent

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) claimed on Tuesday that advocating for dismantling systemic racism is propaganda in service to the Communist Party of China.

On Tuesday afternoon, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan wrote, "On the anniversary of George Floyd's murder, we reflect on the fact that dismantling systemic racism is also a national security priority. The fight for racial justice at home and abroad is foundational to our future & to how the world sees us."

"This tweet is approved by the Communist Party of China," Cotton tweeted in response just minutes later.

Republicans in Congress largely ignored the anniversary of George Floyd's murder. But they have been more vocal about the supposed communist threat of anti-racist policy and education.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Wednesday argued that "social justice" is "often code for social Marxism." Rep. Matt Gaetz said just days ago that "the real threat to our nation is the Marxism and Critical Race Theory that they [the Biden administration] embraces." And Rep. Mo Brooks wrote earlier in May that "Marxism stokes division by fanning the flames of class, race, and gender resentment."

Cotton has repeatedly lashed out at efforts to address systemic racism in America.

In February, he characterized efforts by the Biden administration to address racism as "anti-American" and racist itself.

A month later, Cotton said that acknowledging the existence of racial bias in the country was "slander" against America.

Other Republicans have similarly attacked the concept of systemic racism.

Thirty Republicans in the House banded together this month to push legislation that would prevent the government from addressing racism. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), has argued that "systemic socialism" is more of a "real" problem than racism.

International rivals of the United States have tried to exploit the racial animosity in the country to their own advantage. Citing campaigns by the Russian and Chinese governments to highlight and exploit America's racial divisions, the Center for a Just Security recently noted, "America's competitors view its social division, history of racism, and domestic anti-democratic movements as a vulnerability for the country."

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.

#EndorseThis: Trump Previews GOP Attack On Sanders

#EndorseThis: Trump Previews GOP Attack On Sanders

As the Democratic primaries get under way, Republicans are unstinting in their praise of Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). They love his authenticity and cheer whenever he rises in polls. The Trump campaign is reportedly even trying to boost Bernie in early primary states.
But should Sanders actually win the Democratic nomination, that benign and friendly attitude will change radically. In his Super Bowl interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity, Trump offered a glimpse of how his campaign will treat a Sanders candidacy in the general election.

Texas Congressman Warns Impeachment Will Bring ‘Communism’ And ‘Dictatorship’

Texas Congressman Warns Impeachment Will Bring ‘Communism’ And ‘Dictatorship’

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) claimed this week that the impeachment inquiry currently underway in the House of Representatives would lead to a civil war and a dictatorship in the United States if Donald Trump were removed from office.

Gohmert made his comments Thursday night while guest-hosting the radio program Breitbart News Tonight, which is part of the controversial conservative Breitbart News.

Earlier in the day Gohmert said in Congress that the inquiry was “push[ing] this country to a civil war.”

He expanded on that take during Thursday night’s radio show.

“What is a better description than civil war is actually — this is a communist revolution,” said Gohmert.

“Next thing you know you’ve got Trotsky over convincing the soldiers to support the Lenin of the place, and then boom, you have what people think will be a benevolent dictator and get things back on track and restore people’s rights,” he said. “But you’ve just lost everything, that Caesar has now crossed the Rubicon, you’ve lost your republic, the little experiment in self-government, and now you’re dealing with a dictator.”

In reality, impeachment has been enshrined in the U.S. Constitution since its ratification in 1788. Article II, section 4 of the Constitution lays out the power of Congress to remove officials including the president and vice president for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The Constitution does not associate these powers with civil war or communism, or any particular political ideology.

Gohmert’s usage of a nightmare communist scenario is not an outlier when compared to the rhetoric that has been deployed by Republican leaders.

Protesting the inquiry’s closed-door depositions, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), the minority whip, referred to the effort as a “Soviet-style process.”

The description is inaccurate, particularly since Republicans are part of those closed-door hearings and are free to question witnesses. The process for calling witnesses was in fact laid out by Republicans when they were in the majority before the 2018 election.

A federal judge recently ruled that the impeachment inquiry is legal, deflating a line of argument that Trump and his congressional defenders have made.

Published with permission of The American Independent.

Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore