Expert slams US House passage of MEGOBARI Act as ‘hostile’, ‘misleading’

A Georgian political analyst has criticised a bill recently adopted by the United States House of Representatives, calling it a "hostile act" under the “misleading title” of the MEGOBARI Act. 

Davit Chikhelidze shared his views on social media on Tuesday, claiming the legislation represented "an unfriendly and unstrategic step" by Washington.

“The US House of Representatives has adopted a hostile act under the name of ‘friendly act,” which is an unfriendly and unstrategic step,” Chikhelidze wrote. “It is frivolous to call the document a friendly act.”

The legislation, formally titled the Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia’s Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act (MEGOBARI Act), aims to address perceived malign foreign influence in the South Caucasus nation. While the bill's supporters argue it promotes democratic resilience and counters authoritarian interference, critics in Georgia have voiced concerns over its tone and implications for national sovereignty.

Chikhelidze suggested that the bill's progression through the US legislative process could be a test of influence between President Donald Trump and what he referred to as the “Deep State.”

“If Trump signs the document, he will informally admit that he has lost the battle with the Deep State and has only the power to make superficial changes,” Chikhelidze claimed. “If he does not sign it, he will be defeating the Deep State.”

The bill is expected to move to the Senate for further consideration. Should it pass there, it will be sent to President Trump for final approval.

Chikhelidze concluded his post by accusing the United States of continuing what he called an "unfair policy towards Georgia," arguing that such actions raised questions about America's commitment to democratic principles.