A group of Asian-American lawmakers, including Representatives Grace Meng, Judy Chu, and Ted Lieu, have formally condemned comments made on a right-wing podcast. The podcast episode in question suggested that the United States should consider the forced internment of Chinese-Americans if a military conflict were to break out between the U.S. and China.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers argued that this rhetoric is dangerous and contributes to the rise of anti-Asian sentiment in the United States. They emphasized that such proposals are not only discriminatory but also echo historical injustices, such as the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The lawmakers, who hold leadership positions within the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and the House Democratic Caucus, stated that the podcast’s suggestions are unacceptable and harmful to national unity.

The podcast’s specific identity and the names of the hosts were not detailed in the initial reports, but the condemnation from Congress highlights growing concerns among legislators regarding the mainstreaming of extreme rhetoric targeting specific ethnic groups. The lawmakers are calling for a rejection of these ideas, noting that the safety and civil rights of Chinese-Americans must be protected regardless of geopolitical tensions.