Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has families of hostages in Gaza upset about her recent comparison. Now, she's refusing to respond to questions.
The Congresswoman made news on Sunday when she appeared on "Meet the Press" and claimed that the guilty Jan. 6 attackers who are serving time in prison are "hostages." Host Kristen Welker didn't pressure Stefanik on the term, who specifically she was referring to as a "hostage" and which law was violated in the Constitution on Jan. 6.
After the failure to follow up, NBC News reporter Ryan J. Reilly is asking Stefanik's office for specifics.
"I’ve reached out to @RepStefanik’s office to see if they would like to specify which of the federal criminal defendants charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack she believes are 'hostages,'" he posted on social media about his efforts. "Will advise if I get a response!"
Reilly and fellow reporter Anna Schecter reported that the questions arise as families of actual hostages taken by the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas on Oct. 7 are offended by Stefanik's comparison. Speaking with some of them, the reporters explained that the relatives are upset by the remark. There are 130 actual hostages that remain in captivity in Gaza.
"The reality is that most of the alleged rioters, particularly those charged with misdemeanors like parading through the Capitol, have been released pending trial," the report explained. "The overwhelming majority of those incarcerated have either pleaded guilty to crimes or been found guilty by juries. Others were ordered held pretrial because they presented a threat to the public, violated pre-trial conditions or are considered a flight risk."
Meanwhile, those being held behind bars for actions on Jan. 6 were either found guilty, pleaded guilty or because a federal judge decided they were too dangerous to be released before trial.
"Even then, pretrial detainees have the opportunity to have their cases examined by a panel of federal appeals court judges, which several Jan. 6 defendants have done," the report explained.
Stefanik is No. 4 in the House Republican leadership and purports to stand with Israel.