Rep. Goldman Launches Effort To Censure GOP Congresswoman
Former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his potential running mate in the 2024 election. According to NBC News, the suggestion was made during a dinner at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, shortly after Stefanik made headlines for her sharp questioning of college presidents about campus antisemitism.
During the dinner, Trump seemed to approve of the idea, nodding and calling Stefanik "a killer." The representative, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, responded to the speculation during an interview with Fox News, saying she would be honored to serve in a Trump administration in any capacity.
Stefanik first gained attention in December after interrogating the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology about their universities' rules on bullying and harassment in light of the rise of campus antisemitism. Harvard's former president, Claudine Gay, responded that "calling for the genocide of Jews" could be considered actionable conduct, depending on the context.
According to NBC News, Trump has had his eye on Stefanik for some time due to her loyalty to him. A Republican campaign operative told the media outlet, "If you're Trump, you want someone who's loyal above all else, particularly because he sees Mike Pence as having made a fatal sin."
Stefanik's vocal support for Trump has been a point of controversy in recent months, particularly after the events of January 6, 2021, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election. Stefanik has faced backlash for her refusal to acknowledge President Joe Biden's victory, labeling the events of that day as an "entirely peaceful protest."
Despite this, Stefanik has continued to support Trump and joined him on the campaign trail in New Hampshire on Wednesday. In a social media post, she wrote, "America will elect President Trump the next President to save America." Trump has not yet formally announced his plans to run in 2024, but has hinted at a potential rematch against Biden.
The censure effort against Stefanik, introduced by Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), follows a trend in the House of using the formal rebuke on a more frequent basis. While censure carries no actual consequences, it does carry the stigma of being disciplined by fellow lawmakers and can damage a politician's reputation going forward.
Goldman's resolution accuses Stefanik of supporting "the duly charged and convicted January 6 insurrectionists" and attempting to stop the certification of the 2020 Presidential election. It also references her comments about special counsel Jack Smith's indictment against Trump and calling the select committee investigating the January 6 attack a "witch hunt."
Stefanik's team has responded to Goldman's censure effort, calling it "patently absurd." In a statement, Executive Director Alex DeGrasse also referred to Goldman as a "corrupt radical New York Democrat," claiming that Democrats are "desperate" because they know Biden is going to lose in 2024.
Despite the unlikely chance of the censure resolution passing, it sheds light on the increasing use of this form of rebuke in Congress. Out of the 27 lawmakers censured in the history of the House, three have occurred in the current Congress. Some critics argue that censure is merely symbolic and lacks any real consequences for the politician. However, it serves as a public shaming tactic that can damage a politician's political career.
As the 2024 election approaches, the political landscape is likely to become more contentious, with candidates vying for support and using any means necessary to gain an advantage. Trump's possible consideration of Stefanik as his running mate shows that he values loyalty above all else, even in the face of criticism and controversy. For Stefanik, this potential opportunity could be her chance to become more heavily involved in national politics and possibly even become the first female vice president in United States history. Whether or not this potential partnership will come to fruition remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked a buzz in the political world.