House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) admitted Sunday that some members of his party are actively engaged in spreading Russian propaganda, especially when it comes to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
CNN host Jake Tapper noted that Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) had recently said that Russian propaganda had “infected a good chunk of [his] party’s base.”
“He singled out primetime shows on conservative channels,” Tapper said. “Do you agree with him? And how big is this problem?”
“Oh, it is absolutely true,” Turner concurred. “We see directly coming from Russia attempts to mask communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor.”
“I mean, there are members of Congress today who still incorrectly say that this conflict between Russia and Ukraine is over NATO, which, of course, it is not,” Turner added. “Now, to the extent that this propaganda takes hold, it makes it more difficult for us to really see this as an authoritarian versus democracy battle, which is what it is.”
Will the Republican Party ever rid itself of the Russian apologists who populate its ranks? Or is the GOP too afraid of what happens if they do?
