Official Statement from Rep. Ritchie Torres

BRONX, NY – Today, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) released the following statement in response to a report from The Intercept:

“Jacqueline Sweet posted a message that I have never seen before in a WhatsApp Group with which I have absolutely no affiliation—neither my Congressional office nor my campaign nor myself.  Any private WhatsApp group featuring my name or likeness is strictly unauthorized.  

“The content of the message was so offensive and outrageous that it left me speechless the moment I read it.  As an openly gay Afro-Latino public figure, I am frequently the target of racist vitriol from Neo-Nazis like Nick Fuentes.  Everything about me—from my race to my sexuality to my support for Israel—is the object of Neo-Nazi contempt. 

“If you express solidarity with the antisemites, racists, and homophobes who demonize minorities like me, you are my enemy and I am yours.”

The Congressman has never been part of the WhatsApp group in question. He has neither control over it nor internal knowledge of its contents. The use of his name or likeness is strictly unauthorized. If there continues to be an unauthorized use of the Congressman’s name or likeness, the Congressman’s attorney will send a cease-and-desist letter.