Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York sharply criticized progressive Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Pramila Jayapal of Washington during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" on Friday.
Malliotakis, whose family has Cuban roots, condemned the lawmakers' recent undisclosed trip to Cuba to discuss human rights issues, calling them "anti-American" and "communist sympathizers."
'Squad' Democrats roasted as 'communist sympathizers' after secret trip to Cuba: 'Anti-American' https://t.co/37s5beem3v
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In her interview, Malliotakis accused Omar and Jayapal of aligning with adversarial nations like Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia. She condemned their visit to Cuba, emphasizing the country's status as a state sponsor of terrorism and its repression of human rights.
Malliotakis highlighted the low wages in Cuba, noting that despite advocating for fair wages in the United States, the lawmakers supported a government that paid its citizens only $15 a month.
She also criticized their voting record, pointing out that they had opposed a resolution in 2021 supporting the Cuban people during their protests for freedom.
The trip, which involved a small delegation of House Democrats led by Omar and Jayapal, was not disclosed to the public and went unreported by Cuban state media, according to reports.
The delegation reportedly met with individuals from Cuban civil society and government officials to discuss human rights and the U.S.-Cuba bilateral relationship.
Malliotakis's remarks underscored the deep political divisions surrounding U.S. relations with Cuba and the ideological differences within Congress.
Her criticism reflected broader concerns among Republicans about Democratic lawmakers' engagement with foreign governments, particularly those with contentious relationships with the United States.
The trip also sparked controversy because it occurred amid ongoing tensions over immigration and the border crisis in the United States. Malliotakis and other critics argued that lawmakers should prioritize addressing domestic issues rather than engaging in diplomatic visits to countries like Cuba.
In response to Malliotakis's comments, supporters of Omar and Jayapal defended the trip as a legitimate effort to engage with Cuban officials and advocate for human rights. They argued that dialogue and diplomacy were essential tools for promoting positive change and addressing human rights abuses in authoritarian regimes like Cuba.
The lack of transparency surrounding the trip raised questions about accountability and congressional oversight. Critics called for greater transparency regarding lawmakers' international travel and interactions with foreign governments to ensure accountability and adherence to diplomatic protocols.
Overall, Malliotakis's criticism of Omar and Jayapal's trip highlighted the complex dynamics of U.S. foreign policy and the ideological divisions within Congress as the controversial lawmakers continue to cause concerns for the nation.
