California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to look into alleged racist and xenophobic texts shared among leaders of the Young Republicans National Federation.
He expressed outrage over messages that purportedly included calls for gas chambers, admiration for Hitler, and various racist slurs. Newsom shared his concerns via a post on social media.
In his call for action, he directed his comments to Rep. James Comer, the committee’s chairman, asking for an investigation into what he described as “shocking and highly offensive messages” exchanged by youth leaders in the Republican Party across the nation.
Additionally, Newsom criticized Vice President J.D. Vance for downplaying the situation. On X and during “The Charlie Kirk Show,” Vance seemed to dismiss the gravity of the texts.
“It’s troubling that the vice president isn’t outright condemning young Republicans talking about sending political opponents to gas chambers,” Newsom remarked, referencing Vance’s lack of condemnation.
Newsom’s comments came shortly after New York Governor Cathy Hochul, who also denounced the content of group chats and called for accountability. At her press conference, she insisted on taking measures against those involved, emphasizing the need for decisive action.
“Kick them out of the party,” Hochul stated firmly. “Remove their public roles. They shouldn’t be part of any campaign team. We need change. This nonsense has to end.”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott has similarly called for a state senator linked to the Young Republicans conversations to resign.
Meanwhile, Vance made comparisons between the controversial texts and a recent conversation involving Virginia’s Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones, who had also made violent comments. Vance claimed that Jones’s remarks were far worse than what young people might say in private chats.
“What these young people said is just a poor attempt at humor, and I won’t condemn them for making a mistake in a group chat,” Vance defended.
The messages purportedly included derogatory terms for Black individuals and extreme suggestions about political opponents. One exchange even featured explicit terminology related to rape, while another boasted an endorsement of a far-right candidate, followed by a disturbing comment about Hitler.
In response to the situation, the board of the Young Republican National Federation has called for resignations among the leaders involved.
“We are appalled by the vile language uncovered in the recent article,” the board expressed, denouncing such behavior as shameful and contrary to the values of the Republican movement.
