Posted on 04/01/2021 6:28:50 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
It appears that some Republican lawmakers aren’t exactly exerting themselves to support Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) after the news broke that he is under investigation for allegedly sex trafficking and having inappropriate relations with a 17-year-old girl. Their reticence to speak on Gaetz’s behalf could indicate they are simply being cautious and waiting until all of the facts come out. But it seems more likely that their silence on the matter is motivated by the lawmaker’s staunch support for former President Donald Trump and his efforts against the GOP establishment.
The Hill reported:
Few of Gaetz’s GOP colleagues are coming to the defense of the third-term Floridian following a New York Times report that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct with — and interstate trafficking of — a minor roughly two years ago. And a number of Republicans, while warning against jumping to premature conclusions about Gaetz’s conduct, also suggested they wouldn’t miss him if he were gone.
A GOP lawmaker who preferred to remain anonymous said: “I don’t know anything about this situation other than to say he has certainly made enemies and painted a bull’s-eye on his back.”
He added, “This appears to be a self-inflicted wound.”
Some of Gaetz’s colleagues indicated they were hesitant to publicly support him because they are not sure whether or not to believe his story. “My personal view is there are a lot of holes in his story and his denial wasn’t really a denial. ‘I never traveled with an underage woman’ isn’t exactly a denial of relations with an underage woman,” another GOP lawmaker said.
“That said, until charges are filed, I don’t think [punitive] action is warranted,” they continued. “As disgusting as the allegations are, [they’re] still just allegations, and we haven’t heard from the accuser. If charges are filed, immediately remove [him] from committees or whatever precedent says from the Chris Collins issue when he was charged. Basically, if this is true, Matt’s done, and we need to make that clear.”
Another Republican lawmaker stated that accusations are not surprising. “Everyone already knew Gaetz was a ticking time bomb and his days in the House were numbered, but this story is more bizarre than expected,” the lawmaker said.
Other Republicans in Congress criticized Gaetz’s appearance with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson in which he denied the allegations and explained that a member of the Justice Department was attempting to extort him.
“I can say that actually you and I went to dinner about two years ago, your wife was there, and I brought a friend of mine — you’ll remember her — and she was actually threatened by the FBI, told that if she wouldn’t cop to the fact that somehow I was involved in some pay-for-play scheme, that could face trouble,” Gaetz said. “So I do believe there are people at the Department of Justice that are trying to smear me. Providing for flights and hotel rooms for people that you’re dating who are of legal age is not a crime.”
“His bizarre display on Tucker is an attempt to muddy the issues,” another lawmaker said.
Gaetz has been known for his vocal support of Trump and his theatrics in Congress and elsewhere. It is a quality that has annoyed some of his colleagues who are likely the establishment types. However, some on the right have made an interesting observation: The Trump camp has not spoken up about the story.
“I think it speaks volumes that ‘Trump World’ isn’t jumping to his defense. I can’t say concretely, but his interview with Tucker did him no favors,” a former Trump aide said.
“No one named Trump is out defending him — that’s a pretty big sign,” they added.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) on Wednesday chimed in on the matter, affirming that Gaetz has the right to defend himself. He stated the congressman should be allowed to keep his committee assignment until evidence surfaces proving his guilt.
“Those are serious implications. If it comes out to be true, yes, we would remove him if that’s the case,” he told Fox News. “But right now, Matt Gaetz says that it’s not true and we don’t have any information. So let’s get all the information.”
Since news of the investigation surfaced on Tuesday, other facts have emerged giving more details about the story. RedState’s Bonchie reported that on Wednesday, Gaetz’s father, a former Florida state senator, provided an email showing that he was working with the FBI on an investigation regarding the allegations that a member of the Justice Department was trying to extort Gaetz.
So far, we’ve seen no evidence proving that Gaetz is guilty of any inappropriate activity with a minor. But to make things even weirder, it appears there may be indications that the representative’s claims of extortion might be accurate. His father stated that two men approached him after learning about the federal investigation stating that if the elder Gaetz give money to fund an effort to locate Robert A. Levinson, an American who was held hostage In Iran, they would do something about the younger Gaetz’s legal problems.
But regardless of whether or not the suspicions are true, it appears Gaetz is on his own, at least for the time being.
GOPE Receiving Little Support From Me For Being Duplicitous Dolts (my title)
On a related topic, what happened to the noise about Kitzingers bad behavior? I missed the part when it seemed to go away. Did it not happen?
The people who keep reelecting these cretins should be ashamed of themselves. It’s more than just enabling. It’s abetting.
I believe this is a smear campaign because Matt is a rising star; his Republican colleagues are jealous of him and the Dems and Deep State see him as a threat. (Also, he’s a VERY good looking young man)
Revised:
“This is just more evidence that the Republicans are just part of the Uniparty.”
The people who keep reelecting these cretins should be ashamed of themselves. It’s more than just enabling. It’s abetting.
That article is all quotes from unnamed republicans. They could literally all be fabrications and no one actually spoke to the reporters.
I believe Gaetz when he says the 17 year old doesn’t exist. If she did, her name would have already been leaked. And the alleged flight records/plane manifests.
This is the Russian dossier all over again. A phony investigation that leaks allegations like a sieve, yet real actual evidence never surfaces.
Sounds to me like Gaetz is being screwed, but that he also opened the door. He seriously seems “off” - in terms of sex life but also just in life itself. I don’t particularly CARE if he had sex with a willing 17 year old. I’ve met too many 17 years olds who looked, acted and claimed to be 20+. But I wouldn’t stick my neck out for Gaetz and claim he’s innocent as driven snow either.
He’s a made man of the world economic forum!
Rats will defend brother marrying, campaign finance cheating omar to the death. Rebubs will tisk tisk at Gaetz. I hate the rinos’ stinking guts. If the rats were not actively destroying the nation I would never vote for another repub. They learned NOTHING from Donald Trump.
They have nothing on him and there is no reason for House Republicans to waste their breath talking about these false accusations.
This will all blow over by Friday morning.
Forgotten about by the Sunday night.
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Yes, it’s the Pee Tape Script.
Republicans didn’t stand up for Trump either. They still claim Mueller was the right guy. The only reason Trump wasn’t indicted is because he said no to the Interview with Weissmann.
It was all a set-up - and this is too.
The Republicans wanted Joe and they want to work with him now. They don’t need someone stirring up the pot and interfering with the image of Biden being a moral man.
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I'd say it's more likely that the District is a cesspool and nobody wants to draw any more attention to it than they have to.
If all the allegations are true, it’s a Mann Act violation. Federal.
Was she a Chinese spy?
The beltway Republicans never stand behind their own. That is why they are always on the losing end of things. They are gutless.
RE: Was she a Chinese spy?
We don’t even know her name.
Can you elaborate?
If all the allegations are true, it’s a Mann Act violation. Federal.
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There is the stench of an FBI frame-job about this one, including these sorts of “news” articles with their numerous quotes from anonymous “republicans”. It’s the FBI’s way.
Does anyone smell a Cheney behind this?
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