The New York Republican State Committee has suspended the state’s Young Republicans organization after a leaked group chat revealed members making jokes about rape and comments referencing gas chambers.
According to The Associated Press, in a statement released Friday, the committee said its leaders voted unanimously to revoke the New York State Young Republicans’ authorization to operate at the statewide level, citing both mismanagement and offensive conduct. The organization may be reconstituted at a later date.
“The Young Republicans was already grossly mismanaged, and vile language of the sort made in the group chat has no place in our party or its subsidiary organizations,” said NYGOP Chair Ed Cox.
The move comes after Politico published excerpts from a Telegram chat involving leaders and members of the Young Republican National Federation and affiliated chapters in New York, Kansas, Arizona, and Vermont.
The leaked messages drew condemnation from across the political spectrum, with both Republicans and Democrats denouncing the remarks as reprehensible.
The Young Republican National Federation, which serves as the GOP’s official organization for members aged 18 to 40, said it was “appalled” by the comments.
Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who is reportedly considering a 2026 gubernatorial run, also weighed in, calling for those involved to step down from their positions.
The suspension marks a sharp rebuke from the state party, which has faced increasing scrutiny over internal divisions and the behavior of some younger conservative activists.
