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Gorka Says He Opposes Anti-Semitism, But Does Not Address Affiliation With Nazi Allied Group

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In his first comment to the Forward after it exposed his ties to a Nazi-allied group, White House adviser Sebastian Gorka expressed his rejection of anti-Semitism, but did not address the question of his membership in Vitezi Rend, a far-right Hungarian nationalist group that collaborated with the Nazis.

“I’ve been a committed opponent of anti-Semitism, racism and totalitarianism all my life,” Gorka said in a brief written statement provided, after weeks of requests, to the Forward by the White House press office. “Any suggestion otherwise is false and outrageous.”

The Forward report did not allege Gorka was anti-Semitic, but rather showed, based on interviews with two senior members of Vitezi Rend, that Gorka had taken a lifelong oath of loyalty to the group.

In his response, Gorka did not deny or confirm being a member of Vitezi Rend.

Furthermore, Gorka did not say whether he reported his membership to American immigration authorities upon seeking U.S. citizenship. A State Department manual states that members of Vitezi Rend are “presumed to be inadmissible” to the country.

Gorka ended his statement by thanking the president for offering him the opportunity to join the White House team, where he serves as his deputy assistant and is in charge of counter-terrorism. “I am grateful to President Trump and his team for giving me the opportunity to serve and keep America safe against today’s totalitarians.”

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]

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