Biden FCC nominee suggested making federal 'truth' commission modeled after South Africa
WASHINGTON (TND) — Gigi Sohn, President Joe Biden's nominee to lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), previously called for a "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" as a way to help "elevate" the nation.
Sohn joined the "Elevate Maryland" podcast in June 2020, before that year's major election between Biden and former President Donald Trump. She was there to discuss universal access to the web, but at the end of the podcast, Sohn was asked to name one thing that could help "elevate our country," at which time she laid out her proposal for the commission.
"You know what we need? We need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We need to do what they did in South Africa," Sohn responded. "I think we need to come to a common understanding of what the truth is."
Sohn was referring to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which sought to compel nationwide unity and action following the human rights abuses perpetrated there during Apartheid.
Different from the Nürnberg trials that prosecuted Nazis after World War II, South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission was focused on gathering evidence and uncovering information rather than prosecuting individuals for past crimes.
"We need to have a real conversation about race relations in this country, about differences and how we bridge the gap," Sohn insisted during the podcast. "We've lost what is true in this country, about everything. I mean, the fact that there is still significant numbers of people that won't wear a god**** mask in a public place is unbelievable to me. And that's because this president -- and it started before him so I'm happy to keep blame on him but it started before him -- but there is one party that does not care about the truth. And I think that's the first thing that if -- God willing -- Joe Biden gets elected, he needs to have a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and people have to come and speak and talk about their experience of what is true and what is not."
Sohn was lauded by the podcast hosts for her answer.
"I love that answer. Love, love, love that answer. Just incredible answer," host Candace Dodson-Reed said.
The show's other host, Tom Coale, joked during Sohn's response that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission could take the country "one step closer" to getting rid of Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, a frequent blockade to many liberal policies and initiatives.
"We also have to, you know -- we have to really -- did you know Mitch McConnell said that the way that we atone for the original sin was by electing Barack Obama? That guy, we got to get rid of that guy," Sohn said while laying out her proposal for the new commission.
"One step closer," Coale interjected smugly.
READ MORE: "Biden's progressive FCC nominee receives unlikely support from One America News Network"
