Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D–N.Y., and the “squad” are a clear manifestation of the House’s far-left demographic. But a group of newly elected Republican representatives has formed to oppose the self-identified socialists.
Spanish-American Congresswoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis, R–N.Y., who is currently the only female Republican rep. from New York City, is seen as a face of the liberty-loving team. Malliotakis was elected in November 2020 to the House of Representatives after serving in the New York Assembly for nearly 10 years.
The freedom force is made up of women and men, including minorities: Reps.-elect Nicole Malliotakis, R–N.Y., Victoria Spartz, R–Ind., Michelle Steel, R–Calif., Stephanie Bice, R–Okla., Carlos Giménez, R–Fla., Maria Elvira Salazar, R–Fla., Byron Donalds, R–Fla., and Burgess Owens, R–Utah.
A fueling component to the freedom force’s agenda is that their members have direct connections to the folly of socialism. Gimenez was born in Cuba and Spartz grew up in Ukraine when it was a member of the Soviet bloc. Malliotakis and Salazar are the children of Cuban parents who fled socialism.
Former United Nations Ambassador Niki Haley tweeted:
“Move over AOC, meet @NMalliotakis, a descendent of Cuban immigrants who experienced the dangers of communism and socialism up-close, who has started the Freedom Squad. Joining her are @CarlosGimenezFL, @MaElviraSalazar, & @Victoria_Spartz. We welcome the Freedom Squad to DC!”
Move over AOC, meet @NMalliotakis, a descendent of Cuban immigrants who experienced the dangers of communism and socialism up-close, who has started the Freedom Squad. Joining her are @CarlosGimenezFL , @MaElviraSalazar, & @Victoria_Spartz. We welcome the Freedom Squad to DC! 🇺🇸
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) November 20, 2020
Malliotakis tweeted that “An anti-socialist squad is forming.” She said that a “natural alliance” was forming. She explained, “I think what you’re going to see is a group of individuals who are going to serve as a counterbalance to the values of the socialist squad.” Regarding the group, she said, “Freedom for a strong economy. Less government. That’s why our families fled oppressive regimes. Our families fled from oppressive countries with the very same policies that AOC and the Squad are promoting.”
A natural alliance has formed among the new members of Congress whose families fled socialism or communism to achieve the American Dream. Our group doesn’t gave a name but we have a message to share with America. @MaElviraSalazar @CarlosGimenezFL @Victoria_Spartz pic.twitter.com/JJJ7UYY61l
— Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) November 15, 2020
Owens, a former Super Bowl champion said, “this group will give a contrast to the hard left.” He continued to say that the group would protect small businesses calling business ownership “the foundation of our freedom” and “where our middle class comes from … We have different cultures, backgrounds, colors. But what we have in common is that we have a love for our country… and we’re going to make sure we stay free.”
Republicans achieved gains in the House already and have reached a record number of well over thirty women in Congress as some elections remain to be called. Republican women and minorities have made a statement and are taking a stand against socialist policies being pushed by the far-left wing of the Democrat party.
“I grew up in [a] socialistic country…. I saw what happens when it runs out of money, and it’s not pretty,” Spartz said in an interview with Fox & Friends.
She explained that many had fought and died against socialism saying:
“Well, I think we need to be good students of history. Our country, for the last century, fought against socialism and a lot of young kids died. I took my kids to the beaches of Normandy, and you can see how many young kids died fighting for freedoms, how many wars were fought, and we won … And let’s look at any country that had socialism — every country failed because this system is not sustainable, this system creates a lot of destruction and misery. So, we have to be smarter than that…. There are only two systems: you have freedom and free enterprise and you have a system where the government decides and political elites on top [decide] how we’re going to lead, what we’re going to do.”
The squad has gained fame, or infamy depending on the perspective, by pushing for socialist policies such as the Green New Deal. But those proverbial chickens may have come home to roost as they face new and enthusiastic opposition. With the Republican gains in Congress, the squad may have met its match in the freedom force.
