Monday 16 May 2022 03:43 PM Stefanik's office slams 'shameless smears' she pushed replacement theory ... trends now
Elise Stefanik defended herself against smears claiming she is somehow responsible for allegedly stoking the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory that was cited in the Buffalo mass shooter's 180-page manifesto.
The New York representative, who is the No. 3 GOP lawmaker in the House, on Monday called the claims by media and adversaries 'disgraceful, dishonest and dangerous'.
The woman she replaced for GOP Conference Chairwoman, Liz Cheney, is also claiming that Republican leadership is contributing to the enabling of radical white supremacist views on the far-right.
'Any implication or attempt to blame the heinous shooting in Buffalo on the Congresswoman is a new disgusting low for the Left, their Never Trump allies, and the sycophant stenographers in the media,' Stefanik's Senior Advisor Alex DeGrasse said in a statement on Monday.
He added: 'Despite sickening and false reporting, Congresswoman Stefanik has never advocated for any racist position or made a racist statement.'
Stefanik and other Republican lawmakers have previously come under fire for echoing the 'great replacement' theory, a conspiracy that politicians are attempting to wipe out white Americans by 'replacing' them with immigrants.
Payton Gendron, 18, opened fire at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo, New York on Saturday, killing 10 and wounding another three. Of the 13 people shot, 11 were black and two were white.
The shooter's 180-page manifesto made references to the 'great replacement' theory as he spewed racist and anti-Semitic sentiments.
GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Sefanik released a statement Monday calling allegations that her rhetoric contributed to emboldening the Buffalo shooter 'disgraceful, dishonest and dangerous smears'
Stefanik (pictured at a press conference on March 16, 2022) has previously come under fire for allegedly pushing the 'great replacement' theory – although she has never mentioned the conspiracy by name
Payton Gendron, 18, was arraigned in Buffalo City Court on Saturday, May 14, 2022 (pictured) after earlier that day opening fire with a rifle at a Tops supermarket. His 180-page manifesto posted online makes mention of the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory that politicians in the U.S. are attempting to wipe out white Americans and replace them with immigrants
Stefanik released a statement condemning the massacre on Monday along with her senior adviser's statement defending the congresswoman and bashing those critical of her allegedly pushing the theory with anti-immigration sentiments.
'As a New Yorker, I am praying for the entire community and loved ones,' Stefanik said in her statement following the shooting. 'It is a tragic reminder as we begin National Police Week, that we must particularly thank and honor our law enforcement and first responders who continue to face skyrocketing violent crimes across the nation.'
Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney tore into her Republican colleagues and GOP leadership on Monday for 'enabling white supremacy' that she claims emboldened the racist gunman.
'The House GOP leadership has enabled white nationalism, white supremacy, and anti-semitism,' the disgraced Republican congresswoman tweeted.
'History has taught us that what begins with words ends in far worse,' Cheney added. 'GOP leaders must renounce and reject these views and those who hold them.'
Cheney is specifically calling out Republican leadership that has allegedly pushed the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory
Representative Liz Cheney slammed her Republican colleagues on Monday for 'enabling white nationalism, white supremacy, and anti-semitism' in the fallout of the racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo, New York on Saturday that left 10 people dead and three wounded. Pictured: People pray outside the scene of Saturday's shooting on Sunday, May 15, 2022
Payton Gendron, 18, who is accused of murdering 10 people in a 'racist hate crime ' after firing a barrage of 50 shots at a supermarket in upstate New York reportedly conducted 'reconnaissance' at the store before carrying out his attack
Cheney's condemnation of her own party comes as some of her colleagues, including Stefaik, come under fire for pushing the 'great replacement' theory.
Gendron cited that theory in his manifesto posted online detailing his intentions to carry out the attack due to the targeted community's significant black population.
Stefanik took over as GOP conference chair last year after Cheney was pushed out by the party following her repeated criticism of Trump, including blaming him for emboldening the January 6 rioters.
Cheney was censured by her party in Wyoming and will almost assuredly not win reelection in the state after she joined the Democrat-led committee probing the former president's role in the attack last year.
Stefanik and other criticized conservative lawmakers have not pushed the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory by name, but have been accused of echoing the tenants as part of a supposed anti-immigrant rhetoric.
