Dave Taylor, U.S. representative for Ohio's Second Congressional District, is pictured speaking on Aug. 4, 2025, at Jim & Jack's in Riverside in Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI — A Republican congressman from Ohio has denounced the display of an American flag altered to reveal a swastika inside his Washington, D.C. office, calling it a "vile and deeply inappropriate symbol" that is now under investigation by the U.S. Capitol Police.

"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," Rep. Dave Taylor said in a statement on Oct. 15.

First spotted in Taylor’s office during a virtual meeting on Oct. 14, the flag, which features stripes forming the Nazi symbol, appeared to be pinned to a cubicle wall behind one of Taylor’s staffers, Politico first reported.

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, the staffer was identified as Angelo Elia, who is listed as the congressman's legislative correspondent on LegiStorm, a website that publishes congressional data and contact information.

"Upon learning of this matter, I immediately directed a thorough investigation alongside Capitol Police, which remains ongoing. No further comment will be provided until it has been completed," added Taylor.

Taylor’s office called the flag "vandalism," and the congressman said it is under investigation.

Is there an official police report?

When USA TODAY contacted U.S. Capitol Police, an automated message stated that the department’s information office was closed due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Taylor’s office was also contacted, but has yet to respond.

Who is Rep. Dave Taylor?

Taylor won a crowded Republican primary in 2024, succeeding former Rep. Brad Wenstrup to represent Ohio’s Second Congressional District. He began his first term in January.

Raised in Amelia, Ohio, Taylor is also in charge of his family’s concrete company, Sardinia Ready Mix, as reported by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Swastika spotted in Republican congressman's office prompts Capitol Police investigation

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr. and Victoria Moorwood, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

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