What You Say as a Representative Matters: Rep. David Kustoff on Antisemitism in America, Congress

Antisemitism is a problem, not only in the Middle East, but also in the United States. It’s also a problem that some members of Congress are willing to engage in and/or are willing to ignore in their own ranks.

In 2019, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., made a series of remarks many considered to be antisemitic. Rep. David Kustoff of Tennessee is one of two Jewish Republicans in Congress and was horrified by what she has said.

Among other things, Omar has implied that American Jews hold a dual loyalty to the U.S. and to Israel, and stated that Jews had "hypnotized the world."

"What a congressman or senator says or does or demonstrates matters, and it gets magnified," he explained. "The fact of the matter is, when you have members who say some of the things that some of their members say, people pay attention, and it gains some resonance around the world."

Kustoff joins the show to discuss where Congress has failed to push back against antisemitism in its ranks and what Congress’ role in combating it is.

Also on today's show:

• The global leader of ISIS is dead following a counterterrorism raid in Syria by U.S. special forces.
• Virginia's new attorney general is getting involved in a lawsuit over mandatory masks in the state's schools.
• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other officials emphasize the importance of mask-wearing at the Super Bowl after he was spotted not wearing one at an NFL playoff game last weekend.

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