Republican Congressman Calls For Swift Investigation Following Disturbing Office Discovery
Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio) is calling for a full investigation after a disturbing image surfaced showing what appeared to be an altered American flag โ twisted into a swastika โ displayed behind one of his staffers during a virtual meeting.
The image, first reported by Politico and amplified on social media by an Ohio blogger, quickly drew outrage. But Taylorโs office says it may not be what it appears.
โI am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office,โ Taylor said in a statement. โThe content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms.โ
Taylor emphasized that he acted immediately, directing Capitol Police to investigate what he described as a potentially malicious act.
โUpon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside Capitol Police, which remains ongoing,โ the statement continued.
A spokesperson for the congressman suggested the image might have been the result of โfoul play or vandalism,โ not any endorsement of the offensive imagery by his staff. The photo appeared to show Angelo โAJโ Elia, a legislative correspondent who joined Taylorโs office in January, sitting at his cubicle with the doctored flag visible behind him.
Elia โ who recently earned a masterโs degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University โ has not commented publicly. Taylorโs office has not said whether any personnel actions have been taken while the investigation proceeds.
The controversy comes amid renewed scrutiny of conservative youth organizations after Politico reported on leaked Telegram messages allegedly showing racist and anti-Semitic comments from some Young Republican leaders. The timing of the leak, combined with the sudden surfacing of the photo from Taylorโs office, has raised questions among some Republicans about whether politically motivated actors are attempting to smear conservatives ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
The image was first posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Ohio blogger DJ Byrnes, who claimed a friend had a Zoom meeting with Taylorโs office and noticed the symbol. โA friend in DC had a Zoom call with Congressman Dave Taylorโs office today โฆ Taylorโs legislative correspondent, Angelo Elia, had what can only be described as an American swastika flag prominently displayed in his background,โ Byrnes wrote Wednesday.



















