Boehner: ‘America First Caucus is one of the nuttiest things I’ve ever seen’

Former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Sunday derided plans reportedly spearheaded by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to form a nativist anti-immigration America First Caucus in the House.

Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Boehner said the plan, which Greene reportedly abandoned after a document outlining the group’s goals sparked criticism following its publication by Punchbowl News, was “one of the nuttiest things I’ve ever seen.”

“I wouldn’t call it mainstream in our party, but I can tell you that this so-called America First Caucus is one of the nuttiest things I’ve ever seen,” the Ohio Republican said.

“Listen, America is a land of immigration. We’ve been the world’s giant melting pot for the last 200 years, and we’ve got to celebrate that we’re this giant melting pot,” he continued, adding that it was “the silliest thing” he’s ever seen and that members of the GOP should “denounce it.”

Boehner went on to add in the interview that his “greatest regret” as Speaker was not reaching a deal with former President Obama to reform the U.S. immigration system.

Greene, a first-term GOP member from Georgia, has been the center of controversy since before her election to the House due to her past support for the anti-Semitic QAnon conspiracy theory, which alleges that top Democrats are conspiring with a cabal of satanic pedophiles.

Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who is currently under a federal sex trafficking investigation, reportedly considered joining the now-abandoned caucus idea.