The former editor of a New York-based Jewish newspaper was arrested Thursday on charges related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
The charges against Elliot Resnick, who was arrested in Manhattan, include obstructing law enforcement and assaulting officers. At the time of the riot, Resnick worked for jewish press from Brooklyn.
Resnick, 39, is alleged to have been one of the first rioters to force his way into the Capitol through the east rotunda doors. According to court documents, he was among a group who ran up the stairs when the police line came down near East Plaza and illegally entered the building.
An FBI investigator said in court documents that prior to the riots, Resnick had repeatedly posted on social media questioning the 2020 election results. He is alleged to have written in a post on Parler, in part, «when you flagrantly violate election laws, there should be consequences.»
Video from Jan. 6 showed Resnick grabbing and holding the arm of a Capitol police officer who was using a chemical irritant to prevent rioters from breaking down the Capitol gates, the FBI investigator said.
After the doors were broken in, Resnick took other rioters into the Capitol with him and stayed in the building for nearly an hour, according to court documents. It is also alleged that Resnick was seen, on Washington Metropolitan Police body camera video, walking on the restricted grounds of the Capitol after leaving the building.
At the time of the riots, Resnick was working at The Jewish Press, where he had worked in various capacities for 14 years before becoming editor-in-chief. He left in May 2021.
In response to a message from April 2021 political article about Resnick’s presence at the Capitol on January 6, The Jewish Press editorial board said in a statement that Resnick was «covering the rally and the rest of the terrible events of the day» for the newspaper.
“The Jewish Press fails to see why Elliot’s personal views on former President Trump should make him any different from the dozens of other journalists covering the events, including many inside the Capitol building during the riots, nor why his presence warrants an article. on Politico while the presence of other reporters inside the building does not,» the board said.
Resnick and The Jewish Press did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday night.
According to the Department of JusticeAt least 1,000 people have been arrested in connection with January 6, including more than 320 accused of assaulting or impeding law enforcement.