Kevin Frey reports for New York State of Politics that Rep. Marc Molinaro is refusing to criticize Rep. Elise Stefanik for calling some of those arrested for participating in the attempted violent overthrow of the government on Jan. 6, 2021 as “hostages.” More than 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes for their role in the Jan. 6 events, including trespassing and assaulting police officers. And more than 700 have pleaded guilty. Stefanik called them "hostages" on the "Meet The Press" television show Jan. 7, after former President Donald Trump had used the same term several times. Molinaro said, “I don’t judge how other members comport themselves. I haven’t done that, I'm not going to start now.” Actually, Molinaro was one of the representatives recently leading the charge to oust the serial liar George Santos from the House. Molinaro, who represents the 19th Congressional District, also said “My perspective is, by the way, every person in this country deserves due process in a public and speedy trial,” and he said he and Stefanik “work really closely together, we have a great deal of respect for one another.” Brooklyn Rep. Hakeem Jeffries questioned this week why Republicans in New York such as Molinaro have not “denounced” Stefanik for her comments and why they “continue to rely on her fundraising support in order to try to fool the voters in New York and pretend like they believe in moderation.” Read more about this story in New York State of Politics.