Luttrell leads letter addressing antisemitism

Special to the News-Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, led 13 of his colleagues in a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dennis McDonough following disturbing antisemitic comments posted online by Shakeba Morrad, a United States Attorney at the Office of General Counsel for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Specifically, lawmakers requested an immediate update on the investigation into Shakeba Morrad and any disciplinary actions taken.

“Antisemitism has no place in America, especially within the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Luttrell said. “Vile comments, such as Ms. Morrad’s, will not be tolerated, and there must be accountability. I will continue to unequivocally condemn all forms of antisemitism and look forward to hearing from Secretary McDonough on the actions being taken to address this.

“We write to share our strong concerns regarding Shakeba Morrad, a United States Attorney at the Office of General Counsel for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs who shared a video in which she displayed antisemitic behavior,” Luttrell wrote. “We are requesting an immediate update on the investigation and any disciplinary actions taken.”

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The letter goes on to state that in a video posted Nov. 12, Morrad actively mocked the Israeli hostages being held captive by Hamas.

“On Oct. 7 of this year, Hamas committed one of the vilest terrorist attacks in recent world history,” Luttrell wrote. “During this attack the men, women, and children Hamas did not kill were taken back to Gaza to be held as hostages. Ms. Morrad’s mocking of these people and their families is unacceptable. The core values of the Department of Veterans Affairs are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. It is clear to us that Ms. Morrad does not embody the values of the Department and therefore has no place within it.”

Luttrell and others requested updates on the investigation into Morrad, as well as an outline of any disciplinary actions taken.

The letter was signed by Reps. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), August Pfluger (R-TX), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Keith Self (R-TX), Randy Weber (R-TX0), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Matt Rosendale (R-MT), and Mike Carey (R-OH).