While most of the northern United States is embroiled in bitter cold and snowy conditions, one of the more controversial members of the House of Representatives has turned up the heat on his version of the progressive agenda. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., posed for a selfie at a bookstore with The Anti-Fascist Handbook, billed as a relatively new historical look at anti-fascism movements past and present.

At @MoonPalaceBooks and I just found the book that strike fear in the heart of @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/r81nYoeqpL — Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) January 3, 2018



Looking at reviews of the book, all the leading scholarly reviewers openly praise it, especially in the wake of President Trump’s remarks after the Charlottesville, Va., clash between neo-Nazis, Antifa, and others.

Young America’s Foundation, however, has strongly condemned the Minnesota Democrat for taking a selfie with such a book, which the group calls an “inexplicable embrace of violent Antifa tactics.” YAF works in close concert with conservative college students to spread awareness of their shared values across campuses and also sponsors leading conservative speakers like Ben Shapiro — who almost had his Berkeley lecture canceled due to Antifa rioting.

“No one knows the dangers posed by Antifa better than the conservative college students YAF works with around the country who have been threatened, stalked, and at times attacked by the radical leftists who make up its ranks. Most notably, Antifa thugs attempted to shut down YAF’s campus lecture with Ben Shapiro at the University of California, Berkeley,” YAF’s press release reads in part.

Even House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has stated that Antifa “deserve unequivocal condemnation” and asserted that those perpetrating violence under the Antifa banner "should be arrested and prosecuted."

Ellison, now the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, has been embraced by supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., within the party and is often included among the names the party will champion for future high offices.

"It is remarkably irresponsible and foolhardy for a member of the United States of Representatives to signal acceptance of Antifa, an organization whose activities the Department of Homeland Security has classified as 'domestic terrorist violence,’” said YAF spokesman Spencer Brown.

Neil Dwyer is a graduate of the University of Miami, a political and sports broadcaster, and a freelancer writer.