North Carolina Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn just lately known as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "thug" and the Ukrainian authorities "extremely evil," criticizing the nation and its chief as Russia invades it.
Cawthorn's statements had been aligned with former President Donald Trump's reward of Russian President Vladimir Putin however in sharp distinction to the USA' broad bipartisan assist for Ukraine.
Republicans instantly condemned his feedback.
"To my colleague within the Home, I might push again and say it isn't Ukraine that's invading Russia," mentioned Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst. "It's Russia invading Ukraine."
"Like 90% of the nation is with Ukrainians and is against Putin," added South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. "So whenever you see a member of Congress say issues like this, the one factor I would like you to know: they're outliers."
Two North Carolina Home Republican candidates operating in opposition to Cawthorn additionally blasted his anti-Ukraine sentiments.
"I don't perceive how anybody in American public workplace may name Zelensky a 'thug' whereas Ukraine is beneath such vicious assault," mentioned Michele Woodhouse.
"Let's be clear. The thug is Vladimir Putin," tweeted state Sen. Chuck Edwards. "We should unite as a nation to hope for President Zelensky and the courageous individuals of Ukraine who're preventing for his or her lives and their freedom. Something much less is counter to every thing we stand for in America."
Veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove first reported in the Wall Road Journal that Cawthorn made the feedback to a bunch of supporters in Asheville, North Carolina, final weekend. WRAL, a CNN-affiliate tv station in Raleigh, then printed a video of Cawthorn making them.
"Keep in mind that Zelensky is a thug," mentioned Cawthorn within the video. "Keep in mind that the Ukrainian authorities is extremely corrupt and it's extremely evil and it has been pushing woke ideologies."
CNN has not independently verified when or the place Cawthorn made the feedback. After the studies, Cawthorn sought to make clear his views of the battle on Twitter.
"The actions of Putin and Russia are disgusting," tweeted Cawthorn. "However leaders, together with Zelensky, ought to NOT push misinformation on America."
"I'm praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian individuals," he added. "Pray additionally we're not drawn into battle primarily based on overseas leaders pushing misinformation."
Luke Ball, a spokesman for the lawmaker, instructed CNN that Cawthorn "helps Ukraine and the Ukrainian President's efforts to defend their nation in opposition to Russian aggression, however doesn't need America drawn into one other battle by emotional manipulation."
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