Rep Keith Self Faces Backlash for Quoting Goebbels at Censorship Hearing

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Texas Congressman Keith Self quoted Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels, stating, 'It is the absolute right of the state to supervise the formation of public opinion.' This sparked outrage, particularly from Rep. Julie Johnson, who labeled it 'alarming' and emphasized the historical implications of referencing a figure associated with the atrocities of World War II. Self defended his statement by arguing that he was critiquing government censorship rather than endorsing Goebbels' views, which he claimed reflect concerns about the Biden administration's policies. Johnson, however, expressed that quoting a Nazi figure in such a context indicates a serious problem in public discourse. The incident has reignited discussions on the appropriateness of references made in political debates, particularly those involving historically significant figures tied to oppression. Self's past instances of quoting Goebbels have also come under scrutiny, raising questions about his judgment and the implications of such references in contemporary politics.