Maryland Republicans Withdraw Support for Candidate Over Antisemitic Claims

The Montgomery County Republican Party in Maryland has unanimously withdrawn its support for Harold Maldonado, a Republican candidate for the county council's 7th District. The decision by the local party's central committee followed the discovery of past social media posts made by Maldonado. His name will be removed from party literature and campaign materials, though he remains a registered Republican candidate according to the Maryland Board of Elections.

Maldonado's previous posts included claims that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad controls elected officials in Montgomery County and that the CIA and Mossad were behind the September 11, 2001 attacks. He also promoted theories linking Israel or Mossad to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, an attempt on Donald Trump, and other events he labeled as "false flag" operations.

"We reject as baseless and unacceptable his claims that Mossad controls elected representatives of Montgomery County. We stand against antisemitism, intolerance, and any baseless conspiracy theories," stated Dennis Melby, chairman of the county's Republican central committee. Melby added that while criticism of governments and politicians is a legitimate part of political discourse, claims of secret foreign intelligence control over local authorities require evidence.

Maldonado has denied the accusations, asserting that the party has misrepresented his statements and that voters should evaluate his remarks and political positions themselves. He also cited his prior experience with the CIA, claiming his comments stemmed from his professional background in national security and analysis.