Politics

55 Democrats Urge Trump To Fire Gorka From Administration

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Jonah Bennett Contributor
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Fifty-five House Democrats urged President Donald Trump to fire White House adviser Sebastian Gorka for alleged ties to far-right groups in Hungary.

In a letter sent Tuesday, the Democrats stated that counter-terrorism adviser Gorka has supported an anti-semitic militia called the Hungarian Guard created by the right-wing party Jobbik.

“This vile paramilitary group was sued and ultimately disbanded by Hungarian authorities after it was determined that the group threatened the human rights of minorities,” the congressmen wrote. “When asked in a broadcast interview if he supported the move to establish this militia, Mr. Gorka responded: ‘That is so,’ and then proceeded to explain that the group filled ‘a big societal need.'”

But as The Federalist explained back in April, the 2007 interview of Gorka commonly cited clearly shows him supporting the idea of an armed citizenry in general. His remarks were not a full-throated endorsement of the Hungarian Guard, which at the time only existed in the form of a proposal.

Gorka continued in the interview to actually attack the group, saying “I believe Jobbik has decided to politically exploit and politically benefit from a popular call for self-defense. And the most important thing is that, I stress, the most important thing is that this is has nothing to do with our party, the UDK, rather it’s Fidez who is behind the plan.”

The congressmen further argued in the letter that Gorka used to be a member of the Hungarian group Vitezi Rend. The Department of State labeled the group as under the direction of the Nazis in World War II. The only problem is that at the time, the entire Hungarian state was under the direction of the Nazis. In reality, Vitezi Rend was a military honor society founded in 1920 and comprised of military personnel of all political persuasions.

And yet, the impression still exists that Gorka supports anti-semitic groups.

“Mr. Gorka’s associations with these groups are deeply troubling,” the letter continued. “We urge you to fire him immediately, and to make clear that you condemn all forms of anti-Semitism and intolerance within our country and abroad.”

Reports emerged over the weekend that Gorka is expected to leave the White House and possibly take up a position elsewhere in the administration.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer downplayed such news reports during the White House daily press briefing Monday, saying, “There’s no personnel announcement at the time.”

“I have no belief he is currently leaving the White House,” Spicer added.

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