Democrats slam Texas candidate over antisemitic ICE prison remarks
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
House Democrats have publicly distanced themselves from Texas congressional candidate Maureen Galindo over her recent remarks calling for ICE detention centers to be turned into prisons for “American Zionists.”
“Maureen Galindo is a moral disgrace who has no business running for office, let alone holding elected office,” Rep. Ritchie Torres, DY, told Fox News Digital. “That’s why he should withdraw from the race out of shame.”
“This type of rhetoric has no place in our politics, and we should not accept this type of antisemitism in the House,” Rep. John Olszewski, D-Md., said. “There is no world in which I can support a candidate like this.“
Rep. Tom Suozzi, DY “He must be crazy; something is wrong with him.” in question. “This is crazy.”
MICHIGAN SENATE RACE: EL-SAYED’S TIES TO CONCERNS ABOUT EXTREMIST ANTISEMISM AMONG JEWISH VOTERS
Representative Tom Suozzi speaks at a press conference marking the third anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war with members of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus on February 24, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Nathan Posner/Anatolia)
The backlash came after Galindo posted on social media promising to turn ICE detention centers into “a prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers,” prompting accusations of anti-Semitism from both sides. In the same Instagram post, he also said the prison would be used as a sterilization center for pedophiles; “which will probably be most Zionists.”
Some House Democrats told Fox News Digital they were hearing Galindo’s argument for the first time or refrained from offering their opinions on the matter.
“Sorry, I’m late to committee,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.
D-Calif. “This is the first time I’ve heard of this, but I think anyone who says this is problematic,” his representative, Ami Bera, said.
“I have no idea about Texas,” said Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.
Top Democrats also accused Republicans of helping boost Galindo’s candidacy in Texas’ 35th Congressional District. The seat is currently held by a Democrat, and Republicans hope to take the seat in the November midterm elections.
ARIZONA DEM DAMAGED HER OWN PARTY THROUGH A TREND THAT IT CONSIDERED ANTISEMICAL: ‘SICK AND TIRED’
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Republicans over Texas redistricting and predicted the GOP would have a hard time flipping seats before 2026. (FOX News)
The attempt to place blame on Republicans comes after accusations circulated that “Leader of the Left,” the super PAC that spent nearly $900,000 promoting Galindo, had ties to the Republican Party.
No public evidence has emerged to suggest that the PAC is controlled by Republicans. Still, prominent Democrats were quick to call out the GOP over any potential ties. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (DY) said in a joint statement that “MAGA extremists should be ashamed of themselves.”
“This is disgusting and these comments are absolutely reprehensible,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar of California. “I think it’s also reprehensible that Republicans put a million dollars behind him. Why do Republicans want him to win?”
Galindo also said in his post that if elected to Congress, he would work to pass legislation that would consider Zionism and support for Zionism antisemitic. He denied allegations that he was antisemitic but said he was against “Zionist Jews”.
“I think it’s very clear that we all need to take a stand against anti-Semitism,” Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill., said when asked about Galindo’s comments.
Since the firestorm from these posts, Galindo has posted a video on Facebook addressing anti-Semitic accusations, claiming that she never called for the incarceration of Jewish people but wanted to “put in prison billionaire American Zionists who fund human trafficking genocidal prison systems.”
RISE OF MAMDANI, FOCUS OF ‘CRITICAL’ CLOSED DOOR CONGRESS MEETING ON ‘EVIL HATE’ AGAINST US JEWS
Maureen Galindo speaks at the League of Women Voters convention in Texas. (Katina Zentz/Getty Images)
“I am against all concentration camps and want them all to be closed as soon as possible, starting with most of the camps in South Texas,” Galindo said, referring to ICE detention centers. he said.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Galindo will face congressional candidate Johnny Garcia in the Texas Democratic primary on Tuesday.
“He’s not going to be successful here,” Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, said when asked if he would take action to remove her from Congress if elected. “I am confident that the people in that district, many of whom I have represented for ten years, will stand by Johnny.
