GOP group forced to apologize after getting caught smearing congresswomen

Republicans are scrambling to deal with the fallout from their racist attacks.

By Oliver Willis - July 22, 2019

A Republican state organization is under fire and apologizing after it was caught posting a social media message attacking Democratic congresswomen as “the Jihad Squad.”

The Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association (RCCA) posted the message stylized as a mock movie poster with Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Ayanna Pressley (MA) and Ilhan Omar (MN).

Illinois Republican County Chairman’s Association drawing criticism after this post. Cook County Democratic Party condemning it. @cookcodems @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/V4enIrCcMg

— Craig Wall ABC 7 (@craigrwall) July 21, 2019

“I condemn this unauthorized posting and it has been deleted. I am sorry if anyone who saw the image was offended by the contents,” said Mark Shaw, president of the RCCA in a statement. Shaw’s message then went on to echo his fellow Republicans’ attacks on the congresswomen over their political ideology.

Despite his claim that the image was “unauthorized,” it was first posted with the RCCA logo clearly visible in the bottom right-hand corner.

“The post perpetuates the recent attacks by President Trump, promoting lies and racism to alienate immigrants, women, and people of color,” the Cook County Democratic party said in a statement after the image was first exposed.

The whole episode showed that Trump’s racist attack on the congresswomen is being adopted by more and more of the party.

Leaders like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy welcomed the initial Trump attack.

His most ardent supporters made a “send her back” chant directed at Rep. Omar, who is a U.S. citizen, at Trump’s rally. On Friday, Trump said those who had made the racist chant were “incredible patriots.”

The Republican Party is engaged at all levels in racist attacks, and despite public apologies when caught, the message is resonating within their circles.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.

Oliver Willis