American flag with swastika sent to office of Utah congressman

SALT LAKE CITY — Just days after someone discovered an American flag, altered to include a swastika on it, in the office of an Ohio representative, KSL has learned two nearly identical flags were sent to the Washington office of a Utah congressman earlier this year. 

According to Politico, the modified flag was spotted at the D.C. office of Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, on Tuesday. In a statement, Taylor denounced the symbol as “vile” and “deeply inappropriate,” saying he had directed Capitol police to investigate. His office believes someone planted the flag in Taylor’s office. 

The office of Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Utah, confirmed someone sent two very similar swastika flags to the Washington, D.C. office of the congressman earlier this year. Staffers say those flags were also reported to Capitol police. 

The flags appear to be smaller versions of the American flag — of the size someone might wave on the sidelines of a parade — but with modifications to the stripes. In the middle of the flags sent to the congressman, someone has repositioned material to make the stripes form a swastika. 

NBC News cited Republican sources who said similar flags were sent to other congressional offices as well. KSL cannot independently verify that report. Those flags were described as incorporating an optical illusion that made it initially difficult to spot the hate sign. Taylor said the flag found in his office incorporated the same optical illusion. 

According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Nazi Party adopted the swastika as a symbol as early as 1920. Since then, the Anti-Defamation League said it has been considered a symbol of hate.

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