"With the public rise of the COVID-(16)19 effect, the Left in America has mounted a sinister defense: nothing to see here. Rank-and-file Democrats like former Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe say criticisms of critical race theory are "conspiracy theories." So-called Squad member Ilhan Omar tweeted in June 2021, "Republicans love to create outrage over things that aren't actually happening. People should be asking them, what elementary, middle and high school is teaching Critical Race Theory and why they are spinning false narratives." Nikole Hannah-Jones, the chief author and proponent of the critical race theory-based 1619 Project, says her newly formed black liberation schools are "not teaching critical race theory." Even the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, repeatedly dismissed claims that elements of critical race theory are being taught at West Point and throughout the military. He's focused on "white rage" instead."