Georgia’s political crisis deepened yet further this week with the inauguration of a new president—an event overshadowed by outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili’s refusal to recognize her successor. Zurabishvili has declared both the incoming president and the Georgian Dream government that installed him as illegitimate—a sentiment increasingly echoed in the West, where a growing consensus views the Georgian Dream as aligned with authoritarian regimes, undermining Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Recent US sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the party’s shadowy oligarch and de facto leader, marked a significant milestone in this transatlantic pushback.
Among the most vocal critics of Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream is Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, who represents South Carolina’s 2nd District and serves as the Chairman of the US Helsinki Commission. A staunch advocate for democracy and freedom in the post-Soviet space, Wilson has been instrumental in spearheading the Megobari Act, a bipartisan legislative effort aimed at reaffirming US support for Georgia’s sovereignty while targeting malign foreign influence and those who undermine democratic principles.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Free Europe’s Georgian service, Congressman Wilson described the Georgian Dream government as an extension of Moscow’s influence, stating: “Georgian Dream is, unfortunately, one of [Putin’s] only successes. But I am confident his attempts in Georgia will also fail, just as they did in Syria, Moldova, and Romania. This is yet another example of Putin overplaying his hand.”
We saw the new president sworn in on Sunday, while the outgoing president claims she considers her successor illegitimate—a notion you seem to share, based on your recent post on X, where you called her the sole legitimate leader in Georgia. How does the US view these two presidents, and what is the perception?
Indeed, [for me] President Zurabishvili is the legitimate president of Georgia. That view is shared by many Americans. Many of us had hoped it would be possible to reverse war criminal Putin’s intrusion into Georgia’s political system, but sadly, that hasn’t happened. This recognition is universal, even within the Biden administration. The perception is that the situation in Georgia is one of subversion, which has caused particular concern for Trump supporters.
Consider the current Georgian government: in late May, the Georgian Prime Minister attended the funeral of Ibrahim Raisi, the murderous president of Iran, as a show of respect to the mullahs in Tehran. This aligns Georgia with the so-called axis of evil—Iran, war criminal Putin, and the Chinese Communist Party. It’s very revealing.
I am confident that President Trump, when he takes office, will be properly advised that the Georgian Dream is aligned with the regime in Tehran, which has sent assassins to target him. This clarity is going to be there.
With this in mind, it’s curious that Georgian Dream’s leadership seems to believe that a Trump administration would resolve their problematic relationship with the US. They appear to be banking on cutting a deal with him. What do you think they might be relying on?
They are operating under very false assumptions about Donald Trump. He stands for freedom and democracy and supports leaders like President Zurabishvili, who have stood up against war criminal Putin. While Trump does believe in negotiating, when a deal can’t be made, he acts decisively.
Back in 2020, working with Speaker Mike Johnson and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, we issued a report through the Republican Study Committee calling for sanctions on Ivanishvili. And indeed, the Biden administration finally has done so. The momentum now is to recognize the illegitimacy of the Georgian government and see it as an extension of Putin’s influence. We’ve seen Putin fail in Moldova and Romania, and I am confident his attempts in Georgia will also fail, just as they did in Syria. This is yet another example of Putin’s global failures. Georgian Dream is, unfortunately, one of his only successes.
Do you think a Trump administration might go as far as not recognizing the Georgian government as legitimate?
I believe this will be considered eventually. I’m also confident that sanctions will continue against individuals undermining democracy in Georgia. President Trump has never hesitated to impose sanctions, and I expect him to restore those on the Tehran regime. Furthermore, I anticipate secondary sanctions on countries collaborating with Tehran, as that regime has openly declared war on Donald Trump. He won’t take that lying down.
So the sanctions on Ivanishvili and the Georgian Dream leadership—would you say this is just the beginning, rather than a phase that might later be reversed?
It is really just the beginning. This is yet another example of Putin overplaying his hand. Additionally, the contacts and the business arrangements that have been set up with the Chinese Communist Party, on the port facilities, further solidify their alignment with the axis of evil. This is not in the interests of Georgia, the Caucasus, or the wider region.
Circling back to Zurabishvili, you recently invited her to President Trump’s inauguration, calling her the sole legitimate leader of Georgia. This sparked significant controversy in Georgia, with the pro-government media claiming that you lack the authority to invite her and that it would be a paid invitation, essentially, a purchased ticket. Could you clarify?
I’m inviting her in the same capacity that I am hosting the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and former Bulgarian ambassador Stefan Stoyanov. It’s a longstanding tradition for me to invite world leaders to important events in Washington. I’m hopeful President Zurabishvili will attend as my guest. She will have a seat at the inauguration and attend other appropriate events.
Will she be invited as the President of Georgia?
Yes, indeed, I’m inviting her as the President of Georgia.
Another allegation leveled against you by Georgian Dream is that you are being paid for your recent statements, essentially acting as a lobbyist for the opposition. How would you respond to those?
Absolutely not. If I were being paid, that would have to be disclosed in my financial reports—it’s not. My affection for the people of Georgia is genuine and proven through my visits to Tbilisi. I don’t need to be paid to stand for freedom and democracy. This is about my hope and dream for liberty across Central and Eastern Europe, which I’ve supported for decades. My record is rooted in principle, not financial motivation.
Lastly, on the Megobari Act*—what’s the latest on its progress?
On January 3rd, when the new Congress is sworn in, the Megobari Act will be reintroduced on a bipartisan basis with support from Republicans and Democrats. It will affirm America’s commitment to the people of Georgia. This will be one of the first pieces of legislation introduced, highlighting its importance amidst other pressing issues like energy, border security, and economic growth. Leaders like Marco Rubio – whose family had to flee communist Cuba- so he knows the dangers of totalitarianism, Elise Stefanik, and Mike Waltz will champion this effort, ensuring that freedom and democracy in Georgia remain a priority.
Interview by Vazha Tavberidze
*The Megobari Act, named after the Georgian word for “friend,” aims to strengthen US support for Georgia’s sovereignty and democratic development. It also provides mechanisms for sanctioning individuals and entities that undermine these principles, with a focus on combating foreign malign influence.
