[99][100] Gaetz has criticized the federal government for having "lied to the American people for a generation" about cannabis's medical benefits. In 2017, he cast the only vote against a human trafficking bill", "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was literally the only person to vote against an anti-human trafficking bill", "Roll Call 91 Roll Call 91, Bill Number: H. R. 1865, 115th Congress, 2nd Session", "Gaetz among 20 House Republicans who voted against anti-human trafficking bill", "Gaetz misleads in claim about immigrants, crime", "Matt Gaetz runs for U.S. Congress, blasts 'illegal immigrants' and 'Muslim terrorists', "GOP Lawmaker Matt Gaetz Slams Haiti: 'Sheet Metal And Garbage' Everywhere You Look", "Did Democrats, or George Soros, Fund Migrant Caravan? Matthew Louis Gaetz II (/ets/ GAYTS; born May 7, 1982) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 1st congressional district since 2017. "[177][178] Immediately before his remarks on the Second Amendment, Gaetz criticized Big Tech companies for trying to "suppress us, discourage us", saying, "Silicon Valley can't cancel this movement, or this rally, or this congressman". [148] He expressed the belief that many Republicans in Congress were hesitant to impeach Biden, but that Republican voters would feel "betrayed" if they did not. [159], In 2019, Gaetz introduced the bipartisan Super Pollutants Act, which aimed to slow climate change by regulating greenhouses gases, especially black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and methane. During the event, Rep. Gaetz nominated the following students to the U.S. [2] Gaetz was an early supporter of Donald Trump and his appeal to the Republican Party base, echoing his talking points. [242] Joseph Ellicott, an associate of both Gaetz and Greenberg, pleaded guilty in January 2022 to two charges related to this investigation and is also cooperating with authorities. . on. Police recorded him driving 48mph (77km/h) in a 35mph (56km/h) zone and noted that he showed physical signs of intoxication. [90], Gaetz has self-identified as a "libertarian populist". [126][127] Gaetz said he did not trust Mueller to lead the investigation because of Mueller's alleged involvement in approval of the Uranium One deal and alleged close relationship with dismissed FBI director James Comey, a probable person of interest in a proposed new investigation. [211][212], Gaetz voted against Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. But he and the other members were actually attending the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held at the same time as their absences. June 23, 2021 at 03:13 PM ET. [252][253] The sender was later identified as Florida developer Stephen Alford, who was arrested on August 31. In June 2021, Gaetz introduced the Digital Health Pass Prevention Act (DHPPA) with the support of representatives Louie Gohmert and Lance Gooden. White House aide is the son and is matt gaetz a former green beret of Navy Chiefs Santa County. [190] He also claimed that the National Institutes of Health had given the Institute a $3.7 million grant. [289] Later in January 2022, Joseph Ellicott confessed that in 2017, he witnessed Greenberg telling Gaetz over the phone that the woman they had both had sex with was underage. Gaetz claimed he heard those sentiments "most frequently from units that are majority minority." At this point, Army Gen. Mark Milley tried to offer his view, but was rudely cut-off by Gaetz. [206], Gaetz opposes sanctuary cities, which opt not to dedicate local law enforcement resources to prosecuting people solely for being undocumented. On Tuesday, the tables were . [179][180], In October 2017, Gaetz claimed that the Medicaid expansion permitted by the Affordable Care Act fueled the opioid crisis. [135][136][137], One committee member said, "It was the closest thing I've seen around here to mass civil unrest as a member of Congress. "[172] Gaetz is a lifetime member of the NRA,[172] and has an A+ rating from it. The Matt Gaetz - Marjorie Taylor Greene show on Thursday night probably won't cost us as much. 3843: Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022 House Vote #460 Sep 29, 2022", "Lawmaker's talk of mug shot raises questions about DUI arrest", "These Text Messages Pointed the Feds to Matt Gaetz", "Matt Gaetz Is Said to Face Justice Dept. [125] He also asked for a special counsel investigation into the Federal Bureau of Investigation's handling of the Hillary Clinton email controversy, undue interference by U.S. attorney general Loretta Lynch in the investigation, and the Russian state corporation Rosatom's acquisition of Uranium One during Mueller's time as FBI director. [246] Greenberg attempted to bribe Roger Stone with a $250,000 Bitcoin payment to secure a presidential pardon, texting Stone, "They know [Gaetz] paid me to pay the girls and that he and I both had sex with the girl who was underage. He printed out part of his speech onto giant boards that he would hold up if he was unable to speak. [260] Alford, who has previously been federally convicted of fraud and is represented by McGee, was federally indicted in August 2021 for allegedly conducting the scheme. At the meeting, he was questioned about his relationship with Trump, his stance on repealing the Affordable Care Act, and his proposal to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency. We need PATRIOTS who will defend her"[167] in support of Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois, who traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, and shot and killed two people and injured another claiming self-defense during the riots that occurred during the protests of the Jacob Blake shooting. The ex-girlfriend was in an open relationship with Gaetz in 2017 and 2018 and allegedly discussed other women he was involved with, according to three friends of the former couple. But you weren't interested in whether the Russians interfered through Steeleand if Steele was lying, then you should have charged him with lying like you charged a variety of other people. [58][59][60] Gaetz apologized to the family. [154][non-primary source needed][155], In January 2017, Gaetz proposed legislation to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming that it hurts small businesses via the costs associated with compliance. Joel Valdez, a senior communications aide to Gaetz, posted a video on Parler hours before the storming of the Capitol with the caption "From the top of the Capitol office buildings, WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR! [15], On September 25, 2016, following the death of Miami Marlins pitcher Jos Fernndez, Gaetz criticized the athletes protesting during the national anthem in a tweet. [85][86], In the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans regained a narrow House majority. [26], Gaetz was one of two members to vote against a Florida bill against revenge porn in 2015, after having successfully blocked the bill previously. Nevertheless, the NIH denied it had helped create the virus that sparked the COVID-19 pandemic. [56], In June 2021, Gaetz was one of 21 House Republicans to vote against a resolution to give the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6. [280], Two top Washington prosecutorsa public corruption investigator with an expertise in child exploitation crimes and a leader of the public corruption unithave worked on Gaetz's case since at least mid-2021. [41][42][43], Gaetz served as a top campaign adviser to Ron DeSantis during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign. [77] Gaetz and Merrill separately told Politico that Gaetz paid below-market rent for the space, but Gaetz later said that the rent was "at or below market rate". Earlier, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin smacked down Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., after he asserted that an Austin advisor is a "critical race theorist," and that his sources told him Austin's. [228][230][231] As part of his plea bargain, Greenberg cooperated with the investigation of Gaetz and others. "This. Pedophile Matt Gaetz accused Four Star General Mark Milley, Green Beret and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs under both Trump and Biden of being "woke." General Milley put frat boy Gaetz in his place. He said that he is being threatened in a $25 million "organized . [22], While serving in the state house, Gaetz and state senator Joe Negron proposed legislation that would hasten the execution of many inmates on Florida's death row by requiring the governor to sign a death warrant for those who had exhausted their appeals. [119], On April 6, The New York Times reported that during the final weeks of Trump's presidency, Gaetz privately asked the White House for a blanket pardon for himself and some unknown congressional allies for any crimes they may have committed. Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin responded to questions from Rep. Matt Gaetz about Critical Race Theory in a congressional testimony on June 23, 2021. [247] Gaetz's phone was also seized, and he changed his phone number in late December. Getty. [18] In a crowded Republican primary that included Craig Barker, Kabe Woods, Jerry G. Melvin, and Bill Garvie, Gaetz won with 43 percent of the vote. In response, Twitter hid the tweet and labeled it as "[violating] the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence". Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at Wednesday's hearing. Matt Gaetz could see charges brought against him by federal prosecutors in July, a report says. [228] Evidence including mobile payment receipts reportedly suggesting Gaetz had illegally exchanged money for sex, such as May 2018 Venmo transaction records showing Gaetz sending $900 (with a memo referring to a woman) to Greenberg, who then relayed the money (with the memos "tuition" and "school") to three women, one of whom was 18. [75] In August 2019, the Florida Bar announced it had found no probable cause that Gaetz had violated its rules. [181] PolitiFact rated the claim "mostly false", noting that "experts were universal in saying that the evidence that Medicaid expansion is somehow fueling the opioid crisis doesn't exist."[181]. . Tour Request Flag Request Internship Application Casework Request Military Academies Veterans History Project [195], On July 31, Gaetz said of COVID-19 variants that "next it'll be the Chi Omega variant or the Pi Kappa Psi variant. [78] House rules explicitly disallow below-market rentals, and require that parties to such leases "have [not] had, [n]or continue to have, a professional or legal relationship (except as a landlord and tenant)". Sources describing Gaetz as "far-right" include: Some sources state that Gaetz is "close to" the caucus, e.g. Rep. Matt Gaetz. "[152], In 2016, Gaetz acknowledged global warming but said he disagrees with the scientific consensus on climate change that human activity is the primary cause. Gabrielle Fonrouge. Inquiry Over Sex With an Underage Girl", "New details shed light on Gaetz's Bahamas trip", "DOJ Investigation Focusing on Matt Gaetz's Alleged Payments for Sex: Report", "Federal investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz is focused on cash payments to women, report says", "Indicted Gaetz Associate Is Said to Be Cooperating With Justice Dept", "Joel Greenberg, the former confidant of Matt Gaetz, pleaded guilty to a range of crimes", "Rep. Matt Gaetz eyes early retirement from Congress to take job at Newsmax", "Investigation of Matt Gaetz includes whether campaign funds were used to pay for travel and expenses", "Justice Dept. It affects the brain. His refusal also did not lead to a criminal prosecution, during which it could have been used against him. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), a former Army Green Beret, raised the incorporation of critical race theory at West Point, including a course that includes the theory in its syllabus. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Republican being investigated by the Justice Department over sex trafficking allegations, made a name for himself when he arrived on Capitol Hill as a conservative . He is the first Green Beret to be elected to Congress. In August 2021, Gaetz co-sponsored a resolution by Andy Biggs to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. [89] After midnight, January 7, on the 15th and last ballot, Gaetz switched his vote to "present", lowering the number of votes McCarthy needed and allowing him to win the speakership. "I. [277][278] Later in June, ABC News reported that the investigation had engulfed many in the Central Florida political scene and that prosecutors could decide whether to bring charges against Gaetz as early as July. [28] Gaetz, the chairman of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee, was tasked with reviewing the legislation; he announced before hearings that he would not support changing "one damn comma", but said he would listen to both sides' testimony. [295] The two are not related genetically or legally. He's still being probed by the bureau", "Matt Gaetz Is a Congressman Liberals Love to Loathe. But the move alarmed some experts, who were worried the outgoing defense secretary was tinkering with Pentagon bureaucracy on his way out the door. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) At the end of his comments, Milley directly addressed Waltz, a combat veteran. [81][82] Of the television studio, Gaetz said that the company received $100 per month from his office, an amount not reported in his congressional spending records, and also charged television networks each time a network connected to the studio. [236][237], According to the 2021 reports, federal investigators were looking into Gaetz's September 2018 trip to the Bahamas. [31], In 2015, Gaetz supported the presidential campaign of Jeb Bush. On July 23, 2022, he gave a speech at a Student Action Summit gathering in Tampa, Florida, in which he said that overweight or unattractive women were unlikely to become pregnant and mocked them for supporting abortion rights, saying, "They're like 5'2", 350 pounds, and they're like, 'Give me my abortions or I'll get up and march and protest. And both won re-election to their seats just days ago. Reactions: pioneerlion83 , RoyalT12 , Osprey Lion and 2 others He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 until 2016, and received national attention for defending Florida's controversial "stand-your-ground law". [128][129], After Ohio congressman Jim Jordan denied that he was aware of the sexual abuse of Ohio State University wrestlers during the period when Jordan was a coach there,[130] Gaetz said that the allegations came from people in the "deep state" and were intended to reduce the credibility of Jordan's criticism of Mueller's investigation of the Trump campaign and Russia. Anglin later reported that Gaetz fumbled for his license and. Gaetz, 38, a conservative firebrand and close ally of former President Donald Trump, denied the reported allegations against him. As a result, Gaetz was placed under self-quarantine for 14 days. Gaetz, a Florida representative, is embroiled in investigations into an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old that may have violated sex trafficking laws. Tampa Bay Times, Feb. 18, 2014: Near midnight, Okaloosa County Deputy Chris Anglin clocked Gaetz going 48 in a 35 mph zone. Camila DeChalus and Sonam Sheth. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a news conference to announce the 'Green Real Deal' on April 3, 2019 in Washington, DC. [229], Denying any sexual relationships with minors, Gaetz said on March 30, 2021, that he did not plan to resign from the House. [273][274], On April 9, 2021, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into allegations that Gaetz "may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gift". These include September 2018 text messages between Greenberg and a woman engaging in prostitution, which indicate that a prostitute was arranged for Gaetz and that the drug MDMA may have been proffered. In response to stunning New York Times reporting that the Justice Department is investigating a possible sexual relationship between Matt Gaetz and a 17-year-old girl, the Florida Republican. Certain members of the Freedom Caucus, including Gaetz, could contribute the required margin. Gaetz a Green Beret-inspired gifts and merchandise of . Gaetz and other GOP members mocked Democrats and their COVID-19 regulations on social media. Greene, a freshman representative from Georgia, has spent her tenure promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, the COVID vaccine and more. He wrote, "If Democrats want to defund the police, they should start with the FBI. [107] Gaetz has introduced the STATES Act to prevent federal interference in states that have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational purposes. "[196], Gaetz opposes abortion. [110] Gaetz arrived 30 minutes late to the meeting, where at least 500 constituents crowded into a bowling alley. 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