Rep. Steve King has ties to European neo-Nazis
Some people say he’s America’s dumbest congresscritter. But this is just plain appalling:
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Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has been busy cultivating relationships with anti-EU populists and Islamophobes from all over Europe. He has even struck up a special relationship with an Austrian party founded by Nazis in the wake of World War II.
The Congressman — who is infamous for accusing child asylum seekers of smuggling drugs into the U.S., keeping a confederate flag at his desk, and asking what contributions nonwhite people have made to society — has been openly forming political partnerships and personal friendships with a wide array of leaders on Europe’s xenophobic and populist right. Among his stated acquaintances are members of populist and nativist parties from Austria, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.
King’s collusion with fringe right wingers, including many holding anti-Muslim beliefs, should come as little surprise. This is the same man who once said that Islam is incompatible with American values and called for the government to spy on American mosques.
King has yet to make a statement on an executive order from the weekend that severely limits entry into the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. He did, however, feel obliged to tweet about the dangers of multiculturalism and immigration.
This is where all Western Civilization is headed unless we reverse course. https://t.co/Q35y4xPkCp
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) January 28, 2017
His office did not reply to a request for comment from ThinkProgress.
King was recently seen palling around with the leaders of Austria’s Freedom Party. The Freedom Party, founded by a former SS officer in 1956, ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Austrian presidency last month. King tweeted out his condolences to Norbert Hofer, the Freedom Party’s candidate, at the time.
Regrets to @norbertghofer for 2nd place finish in race for President of Austria. The cause of freedom & our friendship remain. Onward! pic.twitter.com/643XBQiGdq
— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) December 5, 2016
“The cause of freedom & our friendship remain,” he wrote. “Onward!”
I bet it just frosted King that he couldn’t ape Richard Spencer and tweet “Hail victory!”
‘Nuff said.
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