CINCINNATI — A Republican congressman from Ohio has denounced the display of an American flag altered to reveal a swastika inside his Washington, D.C. office, calling it a "vile and deeply inappropriate symbol" that is now under investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police.
"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," Rep. Dave Taylor said in a statement on Oct. 15.
First spotted in Taylor’s office during a virtual meeting on Oct. 14, the flag, which features stripes forming the Nazi symbol, appeared to be pinned to a cubicle wall behind one of Taylor’s staffers, Politico first reported.
According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, the staffer was identified as Angelo Elia, who is listed as the congressman's legislative correspondent on LegiStorm, a website that publishes congressional data and contact information.
"Upon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside Capitol Police, which remains ongoing. No further comment will be provided until it has been completed," added Taylor.
