Ukraine is within the throes of preventing off an invasion from Russia and Vladimir Putin, one which has resulted in 1000’s of lives misplaced and, on Wednesday, the bombing of a Ukrainian maternity hospital. Democrats and Republicans in the USA have discovered uncommon frequent floor in standing behind Ukraine and its president, Volodomyr Zelensky. It’s been a bit of tougher for the GOP, although, the ranks of which have included various Putin apologists, most notably former President Trump, who are actually attempting to mood their reward for the authoritarian.
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) is among the many Republicans who haven’t appeared to have a lot of an issue with Putin’s designs on one in every of America’s allies. “As a substitute of being the police power of the world, some individuals who wish to say, ‘Oh my goodness, properly you recognize what, there’s this horrible border disaster happening in Ukraine and Russia, Vladimir Putin, blah blah,’” Cawthorn mentioned at Turning Level USA’s AmericaFest in December. “I don’t care. I actually don’t.”
Cawthorn took it a step additional over the weekend by bashing Zelensky. “Keep in mind that Zelensky is a thug,” Cawthorn mentioned in a video obtained by North Carolina’s WRAL. “Keep in mind that the Ukrainian authorities is extremely corrupt and is extremely evil and has been pushing woke ideologies.”
Right here is the video obtained by @WRAL of Madison Cawthorn calling President Zelenskyy a “thug.”
When will @GOPLeader take motion in opposition to this? pic.twitter.com/OtXD4QJWzF
— No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC) March 10, 2022
Describing Zelensky as a “thug” may have been ripped from the primary web page of Putin’s propaganda playbook, however Cawthorn’s workplace insists he merely doesn’t need America to become involved.
“The Congressman was expressing his displeasure at how overseas leaders, together with Zelensky, had not too long ago used false propaganda to entice America into changing into concerned in an abroad battle,” Cawthorn spokesperson Luke Ball mentioned in an announcement supplied to Rolling Stone. “He helps Ukraine and the Ukrainian President’s efforts to defend their nation in opposition to Russian aggression, however doesn’t need America drawn into one other battle by means of emotional manipulation.”
Cawthorn responded himself in a short Twitter thread, arguing that pro-Ukraine propaganda may lead Individuals into one other struggle. “Propaganda is getting used to entice America into one other struggle,” he wrote. “I don’t want Individuals dying as a result of feelings pushed us right into a battle.”
“The actions of Putin and Russia are disgusting,” Cawthorn added. “However leaders, together with Zelensky, ought to NOT push misinformation on America. I’m praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian folks. Pray additionally we aren’t drawn into battle primarily based on overseas leaders pushing misinformation.”
Individuals are certainly lionizing Zelensky and Ukraine as they battle Russian aggression, as Rolling Stone‘s EJ Dickson coated this week, however there are not any plans — and no political will — for American troops to be deployed to participate within the battle. The White Home has thrown chilly water on the concept this might even be a chance, and Democrats and Republicans have indicated they’d unite in opposition to placing troops on the bottom simply as strongly as they’ve united in assist of Ukraine.
So what, then, is Cawthorn truly engaging in by trashing Zelesnky as he fights an invasion from an authoritarian regime? It’s laborious to say, outdoors of spreading Kremlin propaganda to his supporters within the identify of scoring low cost political factors at residence.
