Virginia Delegate Criticized for Holocaust Comparison in Federal Job Cuts Debate

Democratic Delegate Joshua Cole invoked a Holocaust-related quote to oppose Elon Musk's government efficiency initiative, sparking bipartisan backlash.

• Virginia Delegate Joshua Cole used a Holocaust-related quote by Rev. Martin Niemöller to criticize job cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
• Cole's remarks came during an emergency hearing on the potential impact of federal job reductions on Virginia communities, particularly in his Fredericksburg district with a high concentration of federal workers.
• Republican leaders, including Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, condemned Cole's comments as insensitive and trivializing the Holocaust, calling for an apology to Holocaust survivors and the public.
• Critics also noted Cole's misquotation of Niemöller's original statement, which addressed the persecution of various groups under Nazi Germany.
• Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a support plan to assist affected federal employees, including a job resource website, as the state prepares for potential economic repercussions from DOGE cuts.

3 Articles

Fox News New York Post Spectator