The GOP's Far-Right Caucuses and Censorship in Montana
The State Freedom Caucus Network, a group of hard-line conservatives organized under the banner of the House Freedom Caucus, is leveraging divisive social issues to gain influence in 11 statehouses. In Montana, they led the charge to enshrine a ban on gender-affirming care for minors that the governor signed Friday. The banishment of transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephyr from Montana’s House floor has showcased the rising power of these far-right caucuses, who are misgendering Zephyr and using the same language as the Jan. 6 siege by supporters of Donald Trump. The caucus and its members also have repeatedly misgendered Zephyr by using the wrong pronouns to describe her.