Albany, NY (WRGB) — Party leaders have decided to dissolve the New York State Young Republicans (NYSYR) group following a scandal involving racist, anti-Semitic, and violent messages. The New York Times reports the group could be disbanded as soon as Friday, according to the New York Times.
This comes three days after a bombshell POLITICO exclusive report of leaked messages from leaders of groups including NYSYR. Members joked about rape and praised Adolf Hitler in the messages.
According to the NYT, GOP leaders plan to eliminate the NYSYR’s charter and reconstitute it under new leadership. Kansas Republicans did something similar earlier this week. The NYSYR website and social media pages were no longer available as of Friday morning.
Bobby Walker, chair of the NYSYR, apologized for the comments attributed to him but resisted calls to resign.
READ MORE: Young GOP Leader exposed in reported ‘racist’ chats from Schenectady Co., says Chairwoman
The response to POLITICO’s report was was swift, with Democrats and Republicans alike rebuking the content of the chat. However, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik later categorized the story as a “hit piece,” while Vice President JD Vance excused it as “edgy” jokes among young people, even referring to the chat members as college-aged or teenagers.
The chat involved adults in the 20s and 30s. POLITICO reporter Jason Beeferman, who worked on the report, notes that the chat involved members elected to lead their states’ Republican youth organizations, part of a nation-wide group with about 15,000 members.
Some of those involved in the chat have resigned or been removed from positions in government or political campaigns.