Republican lawmakers in the U.S. are heaping well-wishes on Argentina’s newly elected president, a self-described “anarcho-capitalist” they say poses an “existential threat to progressives.”
Javier Milei has been compared to former President Donald Trump for his bombastic ways. He’s promised to slash government spending in Argentina by 15% and replace the country’s currency with the U.S. dollar, among other reforms.
Right-wing U.S. officials were quick to praise his victory on Sunday. Elected Democrats were largely silent, however.
“Here’s the most compelling reason why American progressives detest Javier Milei: If Argentina can elect a government with a mandate to restrain and downsize government, so can we,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said after the win. “It’ll work there. And then here. That, my friends, is an existential threat to progressives.”
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Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., praised him, “Congratulations to President-elect [Milei]. Hopefully, this will be the first of many wins for freedom and democracy against socialism in Latin America.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas, called Milei’s win “decisive” and said,
