Cuomo blames Trump, Republicans for violence by far-right Proud Boys
NEW YORK — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is questioning why state Republicans would have invited the founder of the far-right group the Proud Boys to speak in Manhattan, and blamed them and President Trump for violent clashes that took place after the speech.
In a conference call with reporters, the Democratic governor called the invitation to Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes to speak at the Metropolitan Republican Club a "political tactic because what they're trying to do is fire up their base" ahead of the midterm elections.
"Why would the Republican Party at their main club invite the Proud Boys?" Cuomo asked.
The Proud Boys describe themselves as "western chauvinists" who make up a "pro-Western fraternal organization." The Southern Poverty Law Center says the Proud Boys and their leaders "regularly spout white nationalist memes and maintain affiliations with known extremists."
Cuomo said he had directed the state police to assist the New York Police Department in a probe of the violence that took place Friday night between the Proud Boys and those protesting the speech. Three people have been arrested, but elected officials were outraged over videos posted online of the violence, saying they showed Proud Boys members were involved and should face consequences.
Cuomo said he had also requested the FBI to assist.
The NYPD on Sunday said the situation was still being investigated, and no additional arrests had been made.
The Republican Club had been vandalized ahead of the speech, with officials saying the damage included smashed windows, a spray-painted door and a keypad lock covered in glue. A note left at the scene claimed that the damage was "just the beginning."
The state Republican Party called Cuomo's comments "outrageous."
In an emailed statement, spokeswoman Jessica Proud said, "It's unconscionable that when Republicans were attacked and threatened, Governor Cuomo said absolutely nothing. Violence of any kind has no place in society, yet the governor — who is charged with ensuring everyone's personal safety and property is protected — only thinks those rights should be afforded to Democrats. It's not surprising coming from the man who said conservatives have no place in the state, but it's nonetheless outrageous."