Article

Extremists Have a Home in the GOP

April 14, 2023

This week, our national security was breached when it was revealed that Pentagon documents containing highly classified information were leaked on the Internet by a 21-year-old U.S. Air Guardsman. This massive leak has created a highly damaging national security crisis, and the person responsible has reportedly expressed racial and antisemitic slurs. Also this week, it was revealed that the GOP megadonor who provided Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas with lavish gifts for more than two decades is an admirer of Hitler and collector of Nazi memorabilia.

These revelations underscore the glaring threat posed by right-wing extremists to the future of our country. There’s a clear connection between those who threaten our community and those who attack our democracy. Furthermore, time and time again, dangerous extremists have found a political home in the GOP. Republican extremism threatens our community and democracy, and that’s why JDCA is committed to electing Democrats who share our values.

Aside from Donald Trump, perhaps the worst enabler of Republican extremism is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has a well-documented history of emboldening and promoting legislation and policies driven by extremist views. According to the Washington Post editorial board, “freedom is under assault in Ron DeSantis’s Florida.” Governor DeSantis has imposed extreme restrictions on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity, banned books and educational materials, and imposed restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion education. In addition to his failure to consistently condemn white supremacist and antisemitic activity in Florida, DeSantis has backed racist and misogynistic policies that restrict women’s rights, civil rights, and LGBTQI+ rights. Just this week, he signed into law a highly restrictive six-week abortion ban.

With your help, Jewish voters will help ensure that DeSantis’s and Trump’s form of extremism remains far away from the Oval Office. JDCA is the political home and voice of Jewish voters in support of Democrats who share our core values. We are advocating for policy, educating and mobilizing Jewish voters, and electing Democrats, all consistent with our values.

MEET THE MEMBER: REP. SARA JACOBS

For this week’s installment of our Meet the Members series, we are featuring Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51). As the youngest Jewish Dem in Congress, Rep. Jacobs has a powerful message for JDCA about using her voice in Congress to combat Republicans who peddle antisemitic theories. Take a look at what Rep. Jacobs shared with us on what makes her a proud Jewish Dem:

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Shabbat Shalom,

Hon. Ron Klein
Board Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America

Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America