Former Jewish newspaper editor charged over Jan. 6 actions

In a statement of facts accompanying the case, the FBI special agent who investigated Resnick indicated that a POLITICO story from April 8 played a role in the FBI’s identification of Resnick, when an informant brought her to the bureau’s attention.

At the time, the Jewish Press editorial board defended Resnick’s presence on Capitol Hill, saying he was there in a professional capacity to cover the day’s events.

“The Jewish press fails to see why Elliot’s personal views on former President Trump should set him apart from dozens of other reporters covering the events, many of them inside the Capitol building during the riots, or why his presence warrants an article in Politico while the presence of other reporters inside the building does not,” the board wrote.

But videos and images from that day portrayed Resnick as an active participant in the unrest, fighting his way to the Capitol gates, waving at rioters and breaking through the rotunda doors despite police resistance. Prosecutors included footage suggesting Resnick helped other rioters enter the building.

Additionally, Resnick never printed any Jan. 6 articles or stories, despite his active social media presence and perch at the Jewish press. In the same statement, the board described this as an institutional decision: “The Jewish Press has decided not to print any stories – by Elliot or anyone else – in our print edition due to the passionate atmosphere surrounding the events of the day, especially within the New York Orthodox. Jewish community.”

In the charging documents, the case officer said she was “aware of and has complied with the U.S. Department of Justice’s News Media Policy,” which prescribes guidelines and limits on how prosecutors investigate and charge members of the press.

Resnick, according to charging documents, was inside the Capitol for approximately 50 minutes, based on a review of CCTV footage and other video captured by media and members of the crowd.