Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, pointed a finger on Saturday at the Biden administration after a GOP lawmaker's daughter and son-in-law were killed in Haiti.
Missouri state Representative Ben Baker's daughter Natalie Lloyd, 21, and his son-in-law Davy Lloyd, 23, were killed by gang members on Thursday while on a mission trip to the Caribbean country. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory as Haiti is overrun by gangs who participate in kidnapping and extortion.
"Under the Biden Administration, Americans were abandoned in Afghanistan, Americans are still being held hostage in Gaza, and tragically 2 Americans were just brutally murdered by gangs in Haiti," Greene wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.
She added: "There needs to be an investigation as there are reports the State Department did not give the green light to rescue them in time. This administration puts every other country first and leaves Americans to fend for themselves and pay for it all."
Under the Biden Administration, Americans were abandoned in Afghanistan, Americans are still being held hostage in Gaza, and tragically 2 Americans were just brutally murdered by gangs in Haiti.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) May 25, 2024
There needs to be an investigation as there are reports the State Department did not…
According to Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, his office tried to help the Lloyds, but were turned away.
"Last night, as my office urged the American Embassy to send help to Natalie and Davy as they were under siege, the Embassy told us it was 'too dangerous' to send police," Hawley wrote on X on Friday. "What a weak country we have become. We cannot protect our own citizens from wanton violence."
Newsweek could not independently confirm Hawley's claim.
A U.S. Department of State spokesperson told Newsweek on Friday afternoon that "we are aware of the reports of the deaths of U.S. citizens in Haiti."
"We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment," the spokesperson added.
When reached for comment on Greene's remarks and the gang violence that led to the Lloyds' deaths, the Department of State told Newsweek via email Saturday night: "We would point you to the statement we put out last night on the deaths."
In a press release from Friday, the Department of State said, in part: "On behalf of the President, our Ambassador in Haiti is in touch with the families who we know are experiencing unimaginable grief. Our Embassy is ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance."
"We would also reiterate our message to U.S. citizens: Do not travel to Haiti. The Department of State's Travel Advisory for Haiti has been at Level 4 – Do Not Travel since March 2020," Saturday night's email continued.
Newsweek reached out to the White House as well as the offices of Greene and Hawley via email for comment.
What Happened in Haiti?
The nonprofit Missions in Haiti Inc., which according to its website was founded by Davy's parents, wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday night that Natalie and Davy were ambushed by a gang of three trucks "full of guys."
"Davy was taken to the house tied up and beat," the organization wrote. "The gang then took our trucks and loaded everything up they wanted and left. Another gang came after to see what was going on and if they could help, so they say. No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode."
The nonprofit added: "I have been trying all my contacts to get a police armored car there to evacuate them out to safety but can't get anyone to do. I also am trying to negotiate with the gang so how much $ to stand down and let them leave and get to safety."
In a follow-up post, the organization said the Lloyds, and another person named Jude were shot and killed by the gang.
"My heart is broken in a thousand pieces," Baker wrote in a Facebook post on Friday. "I've never felt this kind of pain....They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family, we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now."
Update 5/26/24, 10:11 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the Department of State.
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Rachel Dobkin is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting on politics. Rachel joined Newsweek in ... Read more