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Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) has spoken out against anti-Semitism within the Texas GOP and has called on his colleagues to distance themselves from the Defend Texas Liberty Political Action Committee (PAC) after it was revealed that its leader had met with a Nazi supporter.
Phelan made his condemnation in a post on October 9th, stating, "The Republican Party is no place for Hitler apologists." The Speaker accused the president of Defend Texas Liberty, Jonathan Strickland, of spending six hours with a Holocaust denier, calling it "the most egregious assault on Jewish lives since the Holocaust."
Phelan emphasized that this was not a mere mistake but indicative of a deeper issue within the party. He stated, "It's indicative of the moral, political rot that has been festering in a certain segment of our party for far too long. Anti-Semitism, bigotry, and Hitler apologists should find no sanctuary in the Republican Party... We cannot – and must not – tolerate the tacit endorsement of these such vile ideologies."
Phelan's remarks came shortly after a sneak attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel during a major Jewish religious holiday. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 1,000 Israelis and led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a state of war. Phelan referred to this attack as "the most egregious assault on Jewish lives since the Holocaust," further emphasizing the need to address anti-Semitism within the party.
The Texas Legislature convened for a third special session on October 9th, during which Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick demanded that Phelan step down. However, Phelan has remained in his position, highlighting potential infighting within the Texas Republican Party. The special session focuses on issues such as education freedom, border security, public safety, and ending COVID-19 restrictions.
In taking a strong stance against anti-Semitism, Speaker Phelan has made it clear that there is no place for such ideologies within the Texas GOP.