Elise Stefanik faces censure effort for calling jailed Jan 6 rioters ‘hostages’

A Democratic lawmaker has filed a formal censure for GOP Congresswoman Elise Stefanik after she referred to jailed Capitol riot convicts as "hostages."

Congressman Dan Goldman filed the censure on Wednesday, according to The New York Times.

Ms Stefanik made the comments during an appearance on Meet the Press earlier this month. The appearance marked the third anniversary of the Capitol riot.

The lawmaker said she had «concerns about the treatment of the Jan 6 hostages.»

Donald Trump has also called individuals convicted for attacking Congress and the Capitol police during the riot «hostages.»

She likened their convictions to the «weaponization of the federal government against not just President Trump, but we’re seeing it against conservatives.”

Mr Goldman said he did not intend to force a quick resolution of the censure — which, as a member of Congress, he has the right to do — but said he hoped the GOP would stand up and hold their own accountable.

“Our preference would be for Republicans to recognize that kind of rhetoric has to stop and find a spine and stand up to Donald Trump,” he said in an interview.

Mr Goldman said he would consider forcing a vote on the matter if Republicans refuse to address Ms Stefanik's comments on their own.

Ms Stefanik defended herself in a post on X/Twitter.

“Desperate corrupt Far Left House Democrats are attempting to force a vote to censure me for my unwavering support for the Constitution, the rule of law, and election integrity. Democrats are in desperate free fall because they know President Trump will defeat Joe Biden this November,” she wrote.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also criticised the move, calling it ‘absurd.’

“I just heard about Goldman’s censure resolution against