Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., has asked House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to scrutinize the intelligence access of two Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) members who won primary elections in New York. The New York City representative called the incoming lawmakers "extreme" and "dangerous," stating that their presence in the House raises national security concerns.
Malliotakis, the lone Republican from New York City, told Fox News Digital that the DSA candidates "really have no business being in the United States House of Representatives." She expressed fear that the pair would gain access to sensitive information and intelligence, arguing that Speaker Johnson needs to determine if they pose a threat. If Republicans secure a majority in the House following the November general elections, Malliotakis said she wants Johnson to restrict which committees these members can join.
The two Democrats poised to serve in Congress are Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez. Chevalier defeated Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., and Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, in his district covering Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. Valdez won an open seat in a Brooklyn- and Queens-area district previously held by retiring Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. Both victories were upset wins against establishment-backed candidates in deep-blue districts, making their general election wins virtually certain.
Both Chevalier and Valdez have supported the DSA platform, which calls for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They have also described Israel's war on Gaza as a "genocide." Malliotakis characterized their political positions as "un-American," noting that campaigns based on eliminating jails, police, and borders are detrimental to the country. She specifically highlighted that Chevalier once posted online about wiping her hands on an American flag because she did not have napkins.
The DSA has advocated for scrapping the U.S. Constitution, abolishing prisons and the Supreme Court, and ending national borders. Malliotakis stated that she does not see how she could work with members of her congressional delegation who hold these views. Born to a Greek immigrant father and a Cuban immigrant mother, Malliotakis said she could not find common ground with someone who treats the flag with such disregard.
The comments preview potential division within the House next year, regardless of which party holds the majority. Chevalier and Valdez's campaigns did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.