Maloney Incorrectly Accused Of Saying CO Rep Gave Tour To Rioters

A new member of the House of Representatives accused Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-Cold Spring, of outing her as the member of Congress who was leading visitors around the Capitol the day before a violent mob invaded the building while the certification of the presidential election was taking place.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, said in a letter to Maloney erroneously dated January 14, 2020, that he told Nicolle Wallace of MSNBC's "Deadline: White House" during a live segment Wednesday he could " 'confirm' a Member of Congress gave Capitol tours to 'insurrectionists' and implied that I was that Member of Congress."

Boebert said in the letter that Maloney's comments were "offensive, shameful and dangerous," and based on them, she has been receiving death threats and hundreds of "vile" phone calls and emails.

Maloney replied to the congresswoman via Twitter that he had never said her name in public.

"Never. Not once. (If you're going to be a gun nut, you probably shouldn't go off half cocked.)," he tweeted, adding, "I'll tweet the transcript so you can see…but that might be like 'a fact', so might not help you."

According to a transcript, Wallace asked Maloney if he could confirm there was a tour the day before the insurrection, and while Maloney said he could confirm it, he said he didn't have firsthand knowledge of it.

"[B]ut I spoke to a Member who saw it personally and he described it with some alarm," Maloney said, according to the transcript.

He said it was his understanding that there was a member of Congress showing people around.

Wallace then asked Maloney who the member of Congress was.

Rep. Maloney: I'd rather not disclose it but be happy to send them your way.

Nicolle Wallace: Please do.

Rep. Maloney: If you mean the Member giving the tour, again, I want to make sure I know the facts, but I think you'll find that's going to be a real story.

In reply to Maloney's tweet, Boebert said, "A thousand apologies @RepSeanMaloney. I'm glad you clarified you were not making any remarks about me whatsoever. Please clarify that with the people making death threats and also MSNBC so they can set the record straight."