- Michigan Congressman Josh Shriver lost his committee assignments and staff after allegedly sharing racist posts on social media.
- Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate said he would not allow the House of Representatives to become a forum for “racist, hateful and bigoted speech.”
- Mr. Tate removed Mr. Shriver from the committee and placed his staff under surveillance, citing Mr. Shriver’s history of encouraging dangerous speech.
A Michigan Republican lawmaker lost his committee assignments and staff on Monday, days after posting images of racist ideology on social media.
House Speaker Joe Tate, a Black Democrat, said he would not allow the House to become a forum for “racist, hateful and bigoted speech.”
State Rep. Josh Shriver, who is white, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) showing a map of the world where black people greatly outnumber white people and the phrase “Great Replacement!”
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Congressman Josh Shriver stands in the Michigan House of Representatives chamber at the Michigan State Capitol on October 10, 2023 in Lansing, Michigan. Rep. Shriver lost his committee assignments and his staff on Monday, days after he allegedly posted a racist image. Ideology on social media. (David Guralnick/Detroit News, via AP)
Shriver represents parts of Oakland and Macomb counties and can vote on the House floor. But Tate removed him from the committee and directed the House Business Administration to oversee staff who can continue to help constituents.
“Congressman Shriver has a history of promoting dangerous editorials and debunked theories that endanger the safety of Michigan residents and create a hostile and unpleasant environment for other residents,” Tate said. said.
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Shriver did not immediately return a message seeking comment.he defended himself social media posts last week.
“I’m against racists, racists, victimhood politics,” Shriver told The Detroit News. “What I find strange is the agenda of demoralizing and reducing the white segment of the population.”
Mr. Shriver was elected to a two-year term in 2022. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statement Friday calling his post “abhorrent rhetoric.”
“We will never allow those who stir up racial fear to divide us,” she said.
