U.S. Capitol Police were notified after a staff member for Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) was seen with an American flag that included a swastika incorporated into its stripes inside the staffer’s office.
According to Politico, the altered flag was spotted in a photo taken during a virtual meeting held in Taylor’s office in the Cannon Building in Washington, D.C. The flag appeared to hang on a cubicle wall behind Taylor’s staffer, Angelo Elia, who has served as a legislative correspondent in the office since January, per his LinkedIn profile.
In a statement posted to his official website, Taylor said, “I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office.”
“The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms,” he added.
Taylor stated that he “immediately” launched an investigation in coordination with the U.S. Capitol Police. “No further comment will be provided until it has been completed,” the congressman said.
A spokesperson for Taylor noted that the flag was discovered on Tuesday, Oct. 14, and suggested the incident may have been an act of “foul play or vandalism,” according to Politico.
The U.S. Capitol Police spokesperson, due to the ongoing government shutdown, issued an automatic response indicating that the office is closed for routine business.
