**US Secretary of State Labels Georgia’s Ruling Party “Anti-American Government”**
In a recent US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made some strong statements about the Georgian Dream party, which has been ruling Georgia since 2012. Congressman Joe Wilson asked Rubio what the US State Department would do to impose real costs on the anti-American Georgian Dream government.
Rubio responded by saying that the goal of the United States is to protect its national interest. He stated that if it’s not in the US’ best interest to have an “anti-American government” governing a significant part of the world, then they will take action to impose costs on that government. However, Rubio emphasized that no specific actions were planned yet.
This exchange comes amidst growing tensions between Washington and Tbilisi over democratic backsliding, increased repression by GD, and anti-Western rhetoric. The US House of Representatives recently passed a bill calling for sanctions against GD officials with bipartisan support. This has not gone unnoticed in Georgia, where the ruling party is pushing back against what they see as unfair criticism.
**Background on Tensions Between Washington and Tbilisi**
The situation in Georgia has been escalating for months. The MEGOBARI Act passed by Congress calls for sanctions against Georgian Dream officials, citing their actions as “hostile” towards the US. Irakli Kobakhidze, a senior member of GD, wrote an open letter to President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance calling the act absurd and hostile.
The tensions between Washington and Tbilisi have been further complicated by accusations from Congressman Wilson that Georgian Dream rigged elections, criminalized association with America, blocked trade and mineral access to the Middle Corridor, sold Georgia to China, and repeatedly smeared President Trump and American leadership. These allegations have not been proven, but they add fuel to the fire.
**Reactions from the Ground**
The situation on the ground in Georgia is tense, with many Georgians feeling divided over their government’s actions. Some see Georgian Dream as having failed to protect democratic values, while others support the party’s efforts to assert independence and protect national interests.
As tensions rise between Washington and Tbilisi, one thing is clear: the US Secretary of State has made it clear that the United States will not stand idly by in the face of what they see as an “anti-American government” ruling Georgia. However, no specific actions have been taken yet, leaving many questions about what’s to come.
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