'Vile, inappropriate': Ohio Republican Dave Taylor condemns US 'swastika flag' image; found in staffer's cubicle

A digitally altered American flag , with its stripes rearranged to resemble a swastika , was displayed inside the office of Republican Ohio Representative Dave Taylor , prompting him to call the police, according to his spokesperson.

“I am aware of an image that appears to depict a vile and deeply inappropriate symbol near an employee in my office. The content of that image does not reflect the values or standards of this office, my staff, or myself, and I condemn it in the strongest terms,” Taylor said in a statement, according to POLITICO.

He added, “I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside the Capitol Police . No further comment will be provided until it has been completed.”

An image, captured during the virtual meeting, showed the flag pinned to what appeared to be a cubicle wall behind Angelo Elia, one of Taylor’s staffers. Other items visible included a pocket Constitution and a congressional calendar.

A friend in DC had a Zoom call with Congressman Dave Taylor’s office today…

Taylor’s legislative correspondent, Angelo Elia, had what can only be described as an American swastika flag prominently displayed in his background. pic.twitter.com/zFn3QowS0c

— The Rooster (@rooster_ohio) October 15, 2025

It remains unclear what role, if any, Elia, who has worked as a legislative correspondent in the office since January, had in the incident, which occurred on Tuesday.

Taylor’s office is located in the Cannon Building in Washington, DC.

A Capitol Police spokesperson told POLITICO via an automatic reply that the office is “closed due to the ongoing government shutdown” and “will re-open when the federal government is funded.”