New York GOP Members Of Congress Silent As Laura Loomer Fans 9/11 Conspiracies

WASHINGTON Donald Trump angered at least some New Yorkers on Wednesday, Sept. 11, when he brought far-right 9/11 conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer to an event commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.

If anythings sacred in this country, it should be 9/11. There are so many people who havent healed, 9/11 responder John Feal said Thursday on CNN . Its an insult to those who have to fight for their lives now, who are sick and dying.

On people spreading 9/11 conspiracy theories, Its pathetic. Its comical, Feal said. But it hurts.

Loomer, who spread conspiracy theories last year about 9/11 being an inside job , has been hanging around with Trump lately. On Friday, she fueled more conspiracies about the Sept. 11 attacks in a social media post suggesting the government is lying about what happened that day.

Do NOT google Building 7, Loomer wrote in another post on Friday , fanning a conspiracy theory about a building next to the World Trade Center catching fire and collapsing.

The White House condemned Trumps association with Loomer this week. So did New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, who called Loomers attendance at the 9/11 event shocking and offensive to the thousands of people who lost their lives.

But theres one group of people thats been noticeably silent about Trump keeping a 9/11 conspiracy-peddler in his inner circle: New Yorks Republican members of Congress.

There are 10 Republicans in New Yorks congressional delegation. None have said anything publicly about Loomers false claims about 9/11, or about Trump bringing her to Ground Zero to commemorate the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

HuffPost reached out to all 10 of them on Friday for comment.

Five responded. Of those, just two directly denounced Loomer.

Shes disgraceful, Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) said in a statement before taking a shot at his Democratic rival, Josh Riley.

Just like Josh Riley who profited off a 9/11 first responder scam, he said, referring to Riley previously being a partner at a law firm, Boies Schiller & Flexner, that took on a 2018 case involving another law firm that was accused of deceptive marketing of loans to 9/11 first responders. A judge ultimately dismissed  the lawsuit filed by New Yorks attorney general.

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) also took aim at Loomer.

As a lifelong Long Islander who represents a district that was home to hundreds of 9/11 victims, first responders, and families, Laura Loomers rhetoric is incredibly dangerous and a slap in the face to those we lost, LaLota said in a statement. There is no room for this kind of rhetoric anywhere in America.

Others generally criticized people fanning 9/11 conspiracies.

As a Navy Veteran, I stand firmly in condemnation of reckless claims, Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) said in a statement. 9/11 was a tragedy our nation will never forget. I will continue to honor the memory of those who perished and work to support their families.

A spokesperson for Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) said this congressman resoundingly rejects any 9/11 conspiracy theories.

DEsposito recommits himself to the bipartisan fight to support survivors of the attack, especially those suffering from 9/11 related illnesses, said his spokesman, Matt Capp. Congressman DEsposito spent his career as an NYPD Detective and has made advocating for 9/11 first responders and survivors a hallmark of his time in Congress.

Anyone who believes that 9/11 was an inside job or part of some big conspiracy is a fringe character, added Nate Soule, spokesperson for Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.). Congressman Lawler firmly believes that nonsense like this does a tremendous disservice to the memory of the thousands of Americans who lost their lives that day and in the years since, their families, and our country.

Requests for comment from New York Republican Reps. Andrew Garbarino, Nicole Malliotakis, Nick Langworthy, Claudia Tenney and Elise Stefanik, who chairs the House GOP Conference, were not returned.

HuffPost noticed at least one reason Stefanik may not want to criticize Loomer: She donated $500 to Stefaniks campaign in 2019.

This story has been updated with a statement from Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.).