(The Hill) – Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) on Wednesday condemned a symbol on the wall of his Washington, D.C., office that is believed to be a swastika in the middle of an American flag.
“I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol in the vicinity of an employee in my office,” Taylor said in a statement. “The content of this image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my team, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”
“Upon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside the Capitol Police, which is ongoing,” Taylor said. “No further comment will be provided until it is completed.”
The Hill has reached out to Capitol Police for comment. An automated email response indicates that the public information office is closed for “routine business” during the government shutdown.
The Hill also reached out to Taylor’s office and campaign team for comment.
Politico obtained an image also shared by an Ohio political blogger showing one of Taylor’s employees photographed with an American flag containing a swastika depicted in the middle pinned to a wall.
The incident followed a Politico report Tuesday about a group chat among leaders of the Young Republican National Foundation that contained racist and xenophobic remarks.
The messages contained variations of the N-word, with one calling the rape “epic” and others suggesting putting political rivals in gas chambers.
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) called on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to investigate the messages, while New York Governor Kathy Hochul called on leaders and members who allegedly sent the messages to resign.
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) has asked a state senator, who Politico reported was a member of one of the Young Republicans discussions, to resign.
Vice President JD Vance called the messages “offensive and bold jokes” and said he would “not join in pearls when people call for political violence,” referring to leaked text messages from Virginia Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
