Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Wednesday, accusing her of perpetuating Russian propaganda by falsely labeling Ukraine as a Nazi state.
Speaking on MSNBC’s “The Reid Out,” Raskin highlighted concerns raised by prominent GOP lawmakers, including House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas), regarding the infiltration of Russian propaganda within the Republican Party.
Raskin pointed out Greene’s repetition of debunked claims, echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s narrative, which portrays Ukraine as overrun by Nazis.
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Credits: NBC News)
In reality, Ukraine is a liberal democracy committed to equality and human rights, with a Jewish president outside of Israel. Describing Ukraine as a Nazi state not only misrepresents the truth but also insults the Ukrainian people.
During a House Oversight Committee hearing on Wednesday, Greene persisted in promoting false assertions about Nazism in Ukraine, aligning herself with Putin’s justifications for Russia’s invasion.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) condemned Greene’s rhetoric, urging her to refrain from exploiting the Holocaust for political purposes and encouraging her to educate herself about its horrors.
Historian Timothy Snyder, the Democrats’ witness at the hearing and an expert on fascism and the Holocaust, refuted Greene’s claims by highlighting the minimal presence of far-right parties in Ukrainian politics compared to Russia.
He emphasized Russia’s alarming embrace of fascist elements within its government and military, contrasting it with Ukraine’s democratic principles.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (Credits: NPR)
Snyder’s testimony underscored the dangers of propagating false narratives and the importance of confronting genuine threats of fascism and authoritarianism.
By shedding light on the realities of Ukrainian politics and Russia’s concerning actions, Snyder challenged Greene’s misleading assertions and emphasized the need for accurate information in public discourse.
The exchange between lawmakers and witnesses during the hearing reflected broader concerns about the spread of disinformation and the manipulation of historical events for political gain.
As the debate over Ukraine’s sovereignty and Russia’s aggression continues, it remains crucial to uphold truthfulness and integrity in public discourse while countering attempts to distort reality for strategic purposes.
