New York Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel was caught on a hot mic Tuesday admitting that he wouldn’t be speaking at a press conference related to the riots in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death if he wasn’t facing a primary opponent later this month.
The livestream of a press conference in New York a day after rioters terrorized the city again Monday night shows Engel asking to speak right before explaining to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., “If I didn’t have a primary I wouldn’t care.”
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. asked Engel to repeat himself, and the congressman obliged. “If I didn’t have a primary I wouldn’t care,” Engel repeated.
“Say that again?” Diaz asked.
“If I didn’t have a primary I wouldn’t care.”
“Don’t do that to me,” Diaz said.
!!! @RepEliotEngel heard on hot mic asking @rubendiazjr for a turn to speak, says twice, "If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care."
Diaz responds, "Don't do that to me."
(h/t @News12BX livestream) pic.twitter.com/eQnkzLiEId
— Emily Ngo (@emilyngo) June 2, 2020
Engel’s office has did not immediately respond to The Federalist’s request for comment.
“In the contest of running for re-election, I thought it was important for people to know where I stand, that’s why I asked to speak,” Engel told The Federalist. “Of course I care deeply about what’s happening in this country, that’s what I wanted to convey. I love the Bronx, grew up in the Bronx and lived here all my life. I would not have tried to impose on the Borough President if I didn’t think it was important.”
New York City suffered its seventh straight night of violent protests Monday as rioters and looters ran lawless around the city destroying businesses and terrorizing communities.
WATCH: Nike store on 5th Avenue in New York City ransacked by numerous looters. #riots pic.twitter.com/WDf03ozip4
— Cicada News (@cicada_news) June 2, 2020
Hard to describe how rampant the looting was tonight in Midtown Manhattan and how lawless it was. Complete anarchy. Literally hundreds of stores up and down Broadway, Fifth Ave, Sixth Ave. Kids ruling the streets like it was a party. pic.twitter.com/y9Ly1UD1WX
— Rachel Olding (@rachelolding) June 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/SharkNewsWires/status/1267335888675254272?s=20
Engel faces a primary challenge from Jamaal Bowman, a progressive middle school principal in the Bronx for New York’s 16th congressional district. New York’s primary is scheduled for June 23.
This piece has been updated.
