UMVA has learned that a stunning controversy is engulfing the Texas congressional race, as House Democrats have publicly denounced candidate Maureen Galindo for her incendiary remarks calling for ICE detention centers to be converted into prisons for "American Zionists."
Galindo's comments have sparked outrage, with Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., condemning her as a "moral disgrace" who has no business running for office. "She should withdraw from the race out of shame," Torres told Fox News Digital.
The backlash intensified as Rep. John Olszewski, D-Md., echoed Torres' sentiments, stating that Galindo's rhetoric has no place in politics and that her brand of antisemitism is unacceptable. "There's no world in which I can support a candidate like that," Olszewski said.
Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-N.Y., was equally scathing, dismissing Galindo as "crazy" and her comments as "demented." The widespread condemnation comes after Galindo posted on social media, vowing to turn ICE detention centers into a "prison for American Zionists and former ICE officers," sparking accusations of antisemitism from both parties.
In the same Instagram post, Galindo also suggested that the prison would be used as a castration center for pedophiles, which she claimed would likely include many "Zionists." Her comments have drawn fierce criticism, with some Democrats expressing shock and dismay.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., claimed she was "late for committee" when asked about Galindo's controversy, while Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., stated that anyone making such comments is "problematic." The controversy has also raised questions about the role of outside groups in promoting Galindo's candidacy.
Top Democrats have accused Republicans of helping to elevate Galindo's candidacy in Texas' 35th Congressional District, which is currently held by a Democrat. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., joined the fray, stating that "MAGA extremists should be ashamed of themselves" for supporting Galindo.
Galindo has since attempted to clarify her comments, posting a video to Facebook in which she claims she never called for Jewish people to be imprisoned, but rather wants to target "billionaire American Zionists" who fund "genocidal prison systems." However, her attempts to walk back her comments have done little to quell the outrage.
As Galindo faces off against congressional candidate Johnny Garcia in the Texas Democratic primary, the controversy surrounding her comments shows no signs of dying down. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, expressed confidence that the people in Galindo's district will reject her, saying "she won't make it here."
