Multiple sources tell Fox News that what appeared to be a swastika flag in Republican Rep. Dave Taylor’s D.C. office may actually be an American flag with a hidden pattern visible only on camera — an "optical illusion" similar to flags quietly delivered to dozens of congressional offices now under investigation.
The flag was spotted Wednesday in a photo of a staffer's desk in Taylor's office, prompting a vandalism investigation by U.S. Capitol Police.
Sources, including those investigating the issue, said the American flag had a swastika embedded into the ink or weaving, making it hard to see with the naked eye.
However, when captured on video or in a still image, they said the symbol becomes clear.
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One source described the alleged manufacturing tactic as an "optical illusion." Another said the swastika was "easy to miss."
The flag was seemingly one of many dropped off at dozens of congressional offices early in the year by an undetermined group.
One office staffer said the swastika on their flag was clear, so they tossed it out.
However, sources noted the flag in the office of Taylor was not visible until captured on camera.
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Authorities are investigating which group distributed the flags, and if they knew the swastika was embedded into the flag.
It remains unclear whether the distribution was an effort to covertly distribute American flags bearing hidden swastikas to lawmakers, or to deliberately embarrass congressional offices by giving them deceptive flags donning the hate symbol.
In a statement to Fox News Wednesday afternoon, Taylor noted "numerous" Republican offices were "targeted" by the group accused of distributing the flags.
"New details have emerged from a coordinated investigation into the vile symbol that appeared in my office," Taylor wrote. "Numerous Republican offices have confirmed that they were targeted by an unidentified group or individual who distributed American flags bearing a similar symbol, which were initially indistinguishable from an ordinary American flag to the naked eye. My office was among those that were subjected to this ruse."
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After a full-scale internal investigation, Taylor said he is confident none of his employees would knowingly display "such a despicable image."
He added the flag in question was taken down immediately.
"As I’ve said previously, I unequivocally condemn hate in any form and continue to collaborate with Capitol Police and the Committee on House Administration to uncover additional details in this investigation," Taylor wrote.
Taylor, who represents Ohio’s Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives, is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and House Agriculture Committee.
The husband and father of three also serves as co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus.
USCP did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment, with an automatic reply citing office closures due to the federal government shutdown.
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