Emerald Coast Times

On June 12, 2024, U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken seeking information about a Ukrainian NGO linked to the State Department that published a list labeling certain Americans as "Trumpists to Communists." The list includes 116 Republican Representatives and 21 Republican Senators who oppose further spending on Ukraine.

Texty.org.ua, a Ukrainian non-governmental organization founded by an individual sponsored by the State Department, released a database last week listing American activists, media personalities, news outlets, and politicians against providing more U.S. taxpayer dollars to Ukraine. Gaetz and Vance's letter requests details on the use of taxpayer money by the State Department for targeting Members of Congress based on their votes against additional funding for Ukraine.

The full text of Gaetz and Vance’s letter to Secretary Blinken is available online. Fox News also provides exclusive coverage of the letter.

In their letter dated June 6, 2024, Gaetz and Vance describe Texty.org.ua's article titled “Rollercoaster: From Trumpists to Communists,” which lists members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate who did not support an aid bill for Ukraine in April 2024. All listed individuals are Republicans.

"If this were merely some random news outlet in a foreign nation, such a hit piece would be easily ignored," reads the letter. However, they note that Anatoly Bondarenko, founder of Texty.org.ua, is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The letter references another incident from July 25, 2022, when the Ukrainian state "Center for Countering Disinformation" issued a list accusing individuals—including American citizens—of supporting "Russian narratives." This Center was established by President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2021 with American support.

Gaetz and Vance argue that regardless of one's stance on American foreign aid or support for Ukraine, U.S. tax dollars should not fund direct attacks on Americans based on political disagreement or legislators' votes.

To determine if there is any violation of U.S. law involved in this matter, they have requested Secretary Blinken provide information by June 28, 2024:

1. All releasable material related to Department of State support for Anatoly Bondarenko or Texty.org or Texty.org.ua from January 1, 2022 to June 11, 2024.

2. A list of any directives or policies outlining obligations relevant to the publication.

3. Details about any grants or awards given to Anatoly Bondarenko or Texty.org or Texty.org.ua.

4. Information regarding whether an investigation into potential policy violations is being initiated by the Department.

The request concludes with signatures from Congressman Matt Gaetz and Senator J.D. Vance.

For updates on this matter, interested parties can subscribe to Congressman Gaetz’s newsletter.

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