Rise and Fall of the 'America First' Caucus

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

Last week two GOP members of Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona, announced that they were forming an "America First" caucus in Congress, something Greene later described as an assemblage of representatives who promote the ideology and values of the most recent Republican President, particularly with regard to his views of immigration.   Almost before they were finished talking, GOP congressman (and accused child sex-trafficker) Matt Gaetz announced that he would be joining, and Texas congressman Louie Gohmert was also expressing interest in becoming a member.  

The group was not exactly shaping up to become the local Mensa chapter.

But then, before the caucus could even get stationery printed and order new sheets, it was sabotaged.  Someone leaked a memo to Punchbowl News that described the new group as aiming to champion "Anglo-Saxon political traditions" and would work toward infrastructure "that reflects the architectural, engineering, and aesthetic value that befits the progeny of European architecture."  Or, in plainer terms, it would champion white culture and values.

The saner elements of the Republican Party quickly began backpedaling away from the proposed new group.  They didn't want their party to look more racist than it already did.   House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy sputtered:

"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 and the party of more opportunity for all Americans - not nativist dog whistles."

Or, in this case, nativist bullhorns.

Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the third ranking Republican in the House, was downright indignant.  She flared:

"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 and reject such malicious hate."

And former GOP House Speaker John Boehner had this to say:

"America is a land of immigration.  We've been the world's melting pot for the last 200 years, and we've got to celebrate that we're this giant melting pot."

Then Boehner went on and described the idea of an "America First" caucus as "one of the nuttiest things I've ever seen!"

Republican Rep. Adam Kinsinger of Illinois went so far as to suggest that anyone who joined the America First caucus should be stripped of their committee assignments.

Representative Greene, who has already been stripped of her committee assignments and obviously has too much time on her hands, did not seem to appreciate the blowback from members of her own party, and both she and Rep. Gosar quickly denied any knowledge of, or involvement in, the position paper on the caucus that had been leaked to the press.  

Now the move to create an America First caucus in Congress has apparently been abandoned and Rep. Greene is today focused on trying to get Rep. Maxine Waters expelled from Congress.  Good luck with that Congresswoman Greene.   Pissing-off Auntie Maxine is a dangerous game, and one you are sure to lose!

Just ask Jim Jordan.