WASHINGTON — A symbol deemed offensive by many has been founded vandalized on an American Flag inside the office Ohio Congressional Representative Dave Taylor’s office.
The news broke at around 5 p.m. on Wednesday that Capitol Police in D.C. were launching an investigation into the symbol and apparent-vandalism. Capitol Police did not release a statement about the incident, but Taylor said that he was aware of the situation and has taken “swift” action.
“I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office,” Taylor said in a statement. “The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms. Upon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside Capitol Police, which remains ongoing. No further comment will be provided until it has been completed.”
The flag was found inside Taylor’s office in the Cannon Building in Washington, D.C., Tuesday afternoon, according to an office spokesperson. Taylor believes it is the result of “foul play or vandalism,” the spokesperson said.
The revelation comes a day after POLITICO reported on an explosive Telegram group chat in which Young Republican group leaders traded racial epithets, joked about the Holocaust and praised Adolf Hitler.
The employee who had the flag pinned to their desk has worked as a legislative correspondent in Taylor’s office since January, according to his LinkedIn.
A swastika is an ancient symbol with a long history of representing good fortune in many cultures, but it is now primarily known as a symbol of hate after being adopted by the Nazi Party. The swastika’s ancient meaning is tied to religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and it has appeared in art from various cultures across continents for thousands of years. In the early 20th century, German nationalists adopted it, and Adolf Hitler chose it as the symbol for the Nazi Party in 1920, permanently transforming its meaning for many in the Western world.