JUST IN: Democrat Moves to Censure Elise Stefanik For Jan. 6 Comments
(Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) filed a formal censure against Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), accusing the conservative lawmaker of spreading conspiracy theories regarding voter fraud and supporting rioters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6th, 2021.
The censure power is a rare congressional punishment typically used only against members convicted of a crime or severe wrongdoing, according to The New York Times. In this case, the censure resolution is a result of comments made by Stefanik referring to the rioters as “hostages.”
Earlier this month, Stefanik claimed during an interview on Meet The Press that she was concerned “about the treatment of the Jan. 6 hostages” as they remain imprisoned for trespassing and assaulting law enforcement. Former President Donald Trump has used similar language to defend the rioters.
She also claimed that the federal government was being weaponized “against not just President Trump, but we’re seeing it against conservatives.” Initially following the Capitol riot, Stefanik called on the DOJ to prosecute those responsible.
Following the interview, Democratic leadership in the House condemned Stefanik’s comment as Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) noted that she “should be ashamed of herself.”
Per the NYT:
Mr. Goldman’s measure also asserts that Ms. Stefanik has filed vindictive ethics complaints against a federal judge overseeing criminal cases involving the Jan. 6 insurrections and has falsely referred to the indictment of Mr. Trump by Jack Smith, the special counsel, as “attempts to criminalize the First Amendment.”
House Democrats have tried to keep their members aligned in opposing Republican efforts to censure members of their caucus for their speech, arguing that doing so erodes a basic tenant of democracy. And they have generally been successful in keeping Democrats mostly united against the Republican-led censures — with the exception of the official condemnation of Ms. Tlaib, which some pro-Israel Democrats broke with their leaders to support.
“What it comes down to is whether the speech by a member of Congress — does it go over the line where it promotes violence, some form of discrimination or bring serious disrepute on the institution,” Goldman told the Times.
“It directly relates to the safety and security of this body,” he added. “If you provide comfort to those people who have been charged and convicted of violent attempts to overthrow our government, you are supporting people who attacked the Capitol and attacked this body.”
The Republicans will unlikely schedule a floor vote on Goldman’s censure resolution targeting the majority’s senior members. A top aide ot Stefanik told the Times that Goldman’s move “corrupt” and “radical.”
“I watched her sell her soul for her own political ambition, firsthand,” Goldman concluded. “I am aware of how she saw an opportunity and completely changed her entire approach to politics to pursue that, I saw that happen firsthand.
