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CINCINNATI — A Republican congressman from Ohio has condemned the display of an American flag altered to show a swastika inside the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., calling it a “despicable and highly inappropriate symbol” that is currently being investigated by U.S. Capitol Police.
“The content of that image does not reflect the values and standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms,” U.S. Rep. Dave Taylor said in an Oct. 15 statement.
The flag, first spotted in Taylor’s office during a virtual meeting on Oct. 14, features stripes forming the Nazi symbol and appeared to be pinned to the wall of a cubicle behind one of Taylor’s staffers, Politico first reported.
The employee was identified as Angelo Elia, who is listed as the lawmaker’s legislative correspondent on LegiStorm, a website that publishes congressional data and contact information, according to the USA TODAY Network’s Cincinnati Enquirer.
“Upon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation with the Capitol Police, which is ongoing,” Taylor added. “I will not be commenting further until the investigation is complete.”
Taylor’s office called the flag “an act of vandalism” and said lawmakers were investigating.
Is there an official police report?
When USA TODAY contacted the U.S. Capitol Police, it received an automated message saying the department’s intelligence unit was closed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Taylor’s office was also contacted but has not yet received a response.
Who is Congressman Dave Taylor?
Taylor won a crowded 2024 Republican primary to represent Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, replacing former Congressman Brad Wenstrup. His first term began in January.
Taylor, who grew up in Amelia, Ohio, is also the head of his family’s concrete company, Sardinia Ready Mix, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
