The New York State Young Republicans group was disbanded Friday following a unanimous vote by Republican state leaders.
“Today, the Executive Committee of the New York Republican State Committee unanimously voted to suspend authorization of the New York State Young Republicans following a report of a group chat that included racist and antisemitic language on the part of leadership,” NYGOP Chair Ed Cox said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Politico reported on leaked messages from the group chat that included the use of racial and homophobic slurs, comments mocking rape and discussion about placing their opponents in gas chambers.
Several members of the New York State Young Republicans — including a former chair and vice chair — were part of the nationwide Republican group chat using the messaging platform Telegram.
“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,” Cox’s statement continued.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were quick to condemn the messages, including Democrats Gov. Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Mike Lawler.
By suspending the group’s authorization, state Republican officials will be able to reconstitute the organization and bring in new leaders.