Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, a Democrat, defended his administration’s actions in a sensitive case during a press conference on Friday, as reported by the Daily Wire. In response to questions about the alleged concealment of a transgender teenager’s identity, who was arrested for planning school shootings, Elrich firmly addressed a reporter.
The tension rose as the reporter pressed Elrich on the county’s reluctance to reveal the suspect’s transgender status, referencing similar recent cases. This incident marked the fourth time such a situation had occurred, according to the Daily Wire.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich SNAPS when a journalist asks why they're covering up the fact that Andrea Ye was transgender.
Andrea Ye is trans teenager (female) who planned to attack 2 Montgomery County schools. pic.twitter.com/HkRnVPofkp
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 19, 2024
“Because it’s not a lede,” Elrich responded, Daily Wire reported. “You know, how — do you publicize every time somebody gets murdered that it’s a white Christian male, who’s heterosexual? No, you don’t, you don’t — are these the only crimes that get committed? You never publish somebody’s sexual orientation when you talk about them.”
Elrich further added: “Why are you focused on it being a transgender is beyond me. It is not a news story. It is not a crime to be transgender. And I’m sorry you feel that way,” he added.
The 18-year-old individual, who identifies as male, was apprehended by law enforcement with the help of the FBI. Officials found a 129-page document detailing plans to carry out an assault on an elementary school and other locations, as reported by the Daily Wire.