In a letter Tuesday, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) called on Republican leaders of the House Appropriations Committee to end the U.S. government’s partnership with Ukrainian forces that target Americans, after a Ukrainian non-governmental organization published an enemies list of U.S. lawmakers, think tanks and media figures who question or oppose further taxpayer aid to Ukraine.
Banks sent letters to the Americans on the list, including Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, informing them that she had asked Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and State Department and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) to stop the State Department and USAID from partnering with any overseas entities that encourage harassment of Americans.
Banks’ remarks came the day before the committee is set to consider a bill to fund the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development for fiscal year 2025.
As Breitbart News’ Kurt Zzyndlka recently reported, the list was compiled by Ukraine-based data journalism agency TEXTY and includes 388 individuals and 76 organizations, including Breitbart News, one of the organizations on the list, as well as Banks, a Navy veteran and chair of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee.
The NGO also published a report about the list titled “Roller Coaster: From Trump Supporters to Communists. US Forces and Methods Blocking Aid to Ukraine.”
Zindruka reported:
…TEXTY website Claim Teksti claims to be “independent” and that its project on anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the US is funded “solely by its readers”. Listed As a partner in the Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services in Ukraine (TAPAS) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK Department for International Development (UK Dev).
Anatoly Bondarenko, co-founder and current deputy editor-in-chief of TEXTY Listed As a trainer for the US State Department’s “Tech Camp” program, he claims the program offers “participant-led, hands-on workshops that bring together private sector technology experts with key demographics, including journalists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society advocates, to explore and apply innovative technology solutions to global challenges.”
While the report acknowledges that most of the people mentioned in the investigation “do not have direct, proven ties to the Russian government or Russian propagandists,” it still goes on to paint a picture of an allegedly interconnected web of conspiracies involving 390 individuals and 76 organizations, with an emphasis on individuals “with ties to the Trump wing of the Republican Party.”
“Federal officials should not aid or cooperate with foreign entities that seek to intimidate and silence American citizens and members of Congress,” Banks wrote to Cole and Diaz-Balart.
I urge the Appropriations Committee majority to support our efforts in the FY 2025 SFOPS bill, which would force the State Department and USAID to end all relationships with foreign NGOs, like TEXTY, that silence Americans they don’t like and try to influence U.S. policymakers to serve their own interests.
Banks’ letter to Musk, Cole and Diaz-Balart published in TEXTY by Christina Wong On Scribd
Banks’ letter to Musk, Cole and Diaz-Balart published in TEXTY by Christina Wong On Scribd
Several people on the list, including film director Robbie Starbuck and journalist Laura Loomer, have posted on X about their inclusion on the list.
Starbucks posted:
I was placed on this list for intimidation purposes because I oppose taxpayer dollars being used for the war in Ukraine. I am grateful that Rep. Banks is standing up for all of us who have been wrongfully placed on this list that could put us and our families at risk. It is shameful that our government would engage with this group that is now targeting Americans and that the Biden Administration is doing nothing to ensure their personal safety.
I received a letter from Congress informing me that I had been included on a recent enemies list compiled by a Ukrainian NGO called TEXTY. Jim Banks It was revealed that the group was working with USAID and the State Department.
Senator Banks is calling for an end to all U.S.… pic.twitter.com/v0K7gYASCN
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) June 11, 2024
Loomer posted:
This letter is extremely relevant given that the Appropriations Committee markup of the bill to fund the State Department and USAID in FY 2025 is scheduled for tomorrow, June 12, 2024. Thank you, Senator Banks!
what’s new:
I received this letter from a U.S. Congressman. Jim Banks I have notified you that my name appears on the “List of US individuals obstructing aid to Ukraine” published by the Ukrainian NGO “Data Journalism Agency.” translation:in cooperation with the U.S.… https://t.co/yFYibpnxha pic.twitter.com/XUFojYRixq
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) June 11, 2024
Follow Christina Wong’s “X” at Breitbart News. The truth of society,or Facebook.
