Keith Self quotes Goebbels at Congressional hearing, sparking outrage

In the United States, during a House Foreign Relations subcommittee meeting, Representative Keith Self of Texas sparked considerable controversy by quoting Joseph Goebbels, the infamous Nazi propaganda minister. Self's direct quote was, 'It is the absolute right of the state to supervise the formation of public opinion,' an assertion he made while discussing what he termed the 'censorship industrial complex' created by the Biden administration. Democratic Senator Julie Johnson reacted strongly, expressing alarm over Self's choice of reference, emphasizing the historical atrocities associated with the Goebbels' ideology during World War II. She argued that quoting Goebbels in a discussion about state power in public debate indicated a significant issue facing the body of government. Self defended his comments by claiming this context was misunderstood and insinuated that such concerns should be directed at his opponents rather than himself. This incident is not an isolated one for Self, as he previously quoted Goebbels in a political campaign in 2010 to illustrate a point against his opponent, then apologizing that the quote was meant in a different light. The event reflects a broader societal concern regarding the appropriation of historical figures associated with totalitarianism in modern political discourse. The response from various individuals on social media has further highlighted the alarming sentiment around these references, suggesting a declining moral compass in political rhetoric.