Jump to content

Matt Gaetz

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by ZombieZombi (talk | contribs) at 21:12, 8 April 2021 (→Alleged sexual relationships with minors). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Matt Gaetz
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byJeff Miller
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 4th district
In office
April 13, 2010 – November 8, 2016
Preceded byRay Sansom
Succeeded byMel Ponder
Personal details
Born
Matthew Louis Gaetz II

(1982-05-07) May 7, 1982 (age 42)
Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Domestic partnerGinger Luckey (2020; engaged)[1]
Parent(s)Don Gaetz
Victoria Quertermous
EducationFlorida State University (BS)
William & Mary Law School (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

Matthew Louis Gaetz II[2] (/ˈɡeɪts/ GAYTS; born May 7, 1982) is an American lawyer and Republican politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 1st congressional district since 2017.

From 2010 to 2016, Gaetz represented Florida's 4th House district in the Florida House of Representatives, which includes most of Okaloosa County. He was elected to the U.S. House in 2016, representing Florida's 1st District. He was reelected by large margins in 2018 and 2020. His district covers a large portion of the western Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola, Destin, Navarre and his hometown, Fort Walton Beach. In the House, he became known as a strong ally and supporter of President Donald Trump.[3] Gaetz has been involved in a number of controversies including alleged sexual relationships with minors.

Early life and education

Matthew L. Gaetz II was born on May 7, 1982,[4] in Hollywood, Florida,[5] to Victoria Quertermous and Don Gaetz, who later became a prominent local politician. Gaetz grew up near Fort Walton Beach, and graduated from Niceville High School in 2000.[6][7] He graduated from Florida State University in 2003 with a B.S. in interdisciplinary sciences and then received a J.D. from the William & Mary Law School in 2007.[8][9] Gaetz was admitted to the Florida Bar on February 6, 2008.[10]

Gaetz's father represented parts of Northwest Florida as a member of the Florida State Senate from 2006 to 2016 and was Senate president from 2012 to 2014. Gaetz's grandfather, Stanley Jerome (Jerry) Gaetz, was the mayor of Rugby, North Dakota, and a candidate for lieutenant governor of North Dakota at the 1964 North Dakota Republican Party state convention, where he died of a heart attack.[11] Gaetz is named for his great-grandfather Matthias Louis Gaetz, and is a descendant of Phillip Goetz, who arrived from Germany to Minnesota after 1838.[12]

After graduating from William & Mary Law School,[13] Gaetz worked at the law firm Keefe, Anchors & Gordon (now AnchorsGordon)[14] in Fort Walton Beach.[15]

Florida House of Representatives

Gaetz with Rick Scott in 2010

In March 2010, following Republican state representative Ray Sansom's resignation on corruption charges in February 2010,[16] Gaetz ran in the special election to succeed Sansom in the 4th district, which included southern Santa Rosa County and Okaloosa County.[17] In a crowded Republican primary that included Craig Barker, Kabe Woods, Jerry G. Melvin, and Bill Garvie, Gaetz won with 43% of the vote.[17] In the special general election, Gaetz defeated Democratic nominee Jan Fernald with 66% of the vote.[18] During his campaign, Gaetz received almost $480,000 in contributions, about five times more than anyone else in the field, and almost 50 times more than Fernald, including $100,000 of his own money.[15]

Gaetz was unopposed for a full term in 2010.[19] In 2012, following the reconfiguration of Florida House of Representatives districts, Gaetz's district no longer contained any of Santa Rosa County. He was reelected unopposed in 2012[20] and 2014.[21]

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.[22] He also joined State Senator Greg Evers in proposing legislation to eliminate the federal ethanol content mandate that 10% of gasoline sold in Florida contain ethanol;[23][24] Governor Rick Scott signed the legislation in May 2013.[25]

Gaetz was one of two members to vote against a Florida bill against revenge porn in 2015, after having successfully blocked the bill previously.[26]

Following George Zimmerman's trial for the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford announced that he would order hearings on the stand-your-ground law that was a focal point of the trial.[27] 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.[28] After the hearings, he authored legislation to allow defendants who successfully used a stand-your-ground defense during trial to be able to expunge relevant information from their criminal records.[29]

When his subcommittee was considering legislation that would keep suspects' mugshots off the Internet until their convictions, Gaetz brought up his 2008 arrest and non-conviction, arguing that his mistakes made him who he is and that publicly available mugshots "could be a problem for those unaccustomed to publicity."[30]

File:Matt Gaetz Mailer.jpg
2016 campaign mailer

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In 2013, Gaetz announced that, in 2016, he would run for the 1st District state senate seat then held by his father, Don Gaetz, who would be term-limited out of the Senate in 2016.[31] On March 21, 2016, Gaetz withdrew from the race, choosing instead to run for the U.S. House seat representing Florida's 1st congressional district; the incumbent, Jeff Miller, had announced 11 days earlier that he would not seek reelection.[32]

On August 30, 2016, Gaetz won the Republican primary with 35.7% of the vote, defeating Greg Evers (21.5%), Cris Dosev (20.6%), and five other candidates.[33] This virtually assured Gaetz of victory in the general election; with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+22, the 1st is Florida's most Republican district, and one of the most Republican in the nation.

In the November 8 general election, Gaetz defeated Democratic nominee Steven Specht with 69% of the vote.[34] He is only the seventh person to represent this district since 1933 (the district was numbered the 3rd before 1963).

Though a financial disclosure form Gaetz filed in 2016 showed a net worth of $388,000, he donated $200,000 of his own money to his congressional campaign. He also resigned from two Florida House political action committees he had started and chaired; the PACs closed down and transferred $380,000 to a federal super-PAC, North Florida Neighbors, whose purpose was to support Gaetz's congressional campaign.[15]

Tenure

Matt Gaetz speaking at a celebration for the completion of the US 98 interchange

On September 25, 2016, following the death of Miami Marlins pitcher José Fernández, Gaetz criticized the athletes protesting during the national anthem in a tweet.[35][36]

Gaetz was listed as a member of the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership from at least January to June 2017.[37][38][39]

In 2019, Gaetz told acquaintances that he could run for the Senate in Alabama in 2020; the state borders his district. He later decided against running.[40]

After the 2020 State of the Union Address, Gaetz filed an ethics complaint against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, claiming she had committed a "flagrant violation of decorum" and perhaps broken the law when she ripped up her copy of the speech.[41]

In February 2020, Gaetz announced that he will no longer accept campaign contributions from federal PACs.[42]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Possible early retirement

On March 30, 2021, Axios reported that Gaetz was "seriously considering not seeking re-election and possibly leaving Congress early for a job at Newsmax".[46] This report came out hours before it was announced that Gaetz was being investigated for a relationship he had with a 17-year-old girl.[47][48]

Political positions

Gaetz speaking at a Turning Point USA event in 2020

Gaetz has self-identified as a "libertarian populist".[49] His views have also been described as nationalist.[50] The Times of Israel called him "a far-right figure who is close to Donald Trump."[51]

Cannabis

Gaetz has introduced legislation to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.[52][53] He has also introduced legislation to loosen federal restrictions on the cultivation of cannabis for research purposes.[54][55] Gaetz has criticized the federal government for having "lied to the American people for a generation" about cannabis's medical benefits.[56] As a member of the Florida House, he sponsored a bill, eventually signed into law,[57] to expand the state's Right to Try Act to include the medical use of cannabis.[58][59] In September 2017, Gaetz keynoted the American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association's annual conference.[60]

In November 2019, Gaetz was one of only two Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee to vote for the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, which among other reforms would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act.[61] He was also the only Republican cosponsor of the bill (of 55 cosponsors) at the time of its passage.[62] Gaetz has introduced the STATES Act to prevent federal interference in states that have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational purposes.[63] Gaetz has said he has had multiple conversations with President Trump about cannabis policy.[64]

Donald Trump

Gaetz waving in front of a lectern. "Students for Trump" logo emblazon the background.
Gaetz speaking at a Donald Trump event in June 2020.

On February 23, 2017, worried about protesters disrupting his speaking at his town hall in Pace, Florida, Gaetz prepared what his staffers called a "nonverbal town hall." He printed out part of his speech onto giant boards that he would hold up if he was "unable to get a word in."[65] One of the signs prepared for Gaetz read "Professional Liberal Protestors".[65] Gaetz arrived 30 minutes late to the meeting, where he faced at least 500 constituents crowded into a bowling alley. At the meeting he was grilled about his relationship with Trump, his stance on repealing the Affordable Care Act, and his proposal to abolish the Environmental Protection Agency. He said that Trump should release his tax returns, but stopped short of saying Congress should subpoena them. Gaetz closed his town hall by shouting Trump's 2016 campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again".[66][67][68]

In April 2018, Politico called Gaetz "one of the most enthusiastic defenders of President Trump on cable news" and a "proud Trump protégé".[69] Aaron Blake of The Washington Post called him one of Congress's "most controversial members", and one who has "unabashedly aligned himself with Trump on basically all things."[70]

In May 2018 Gaetz was among 18 house republicans who voted to have Trump nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in Peace Talks with North Korea.[71][72]

Appearing on The View shortly before Trump associate Roger Stone was sentenced, Gaetz said he would support a pardon for Stone. Co-host Meghan McCain responded, "Oh, come on, congressman! Come on. Come on. He's the swampiest swamp creature."[73]

Gaetz is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, but not of the Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, or Oversight and Reform Committees, and so was not allowed to join lawmakers' closed-door deposition of former White House Russia aide Fiona Hill in October 2019. He told reporters that, since his committee oversees impeachment, he should have been allowed to be part of depositions related to the Trump impeachment inquiry.[74]

The New York Times reported in April 2021 that during the final weeks of the Trump presidency, Gaetz privately asked the White House for preemptive blanket pardons for himself and some unnamed congressional allies for any crimes they may have committed, though it was not immediately clear what specific crimes or individuals might have been involved.[75] The request was reportedly never seriously considered by the White House because it was decided preemptive pardons would set a bad precedent.[76][75] The Times reported aides told Trump of the request, though Trump denied Gaetz asked him for a pardon and noted that Gaetz "totally denied the accusations against him."[77] On April 8, 2021 Maggie Haberman of the New York Times told CNN's New Day that Trump wanted to defend Gatez but he was told to stand down due the serious nature of the allegations.[78] Previously on April 3,The Daily Beast reported that Trump said the allegations were "really bad" for Gatez, though also stated that the allegations could also be a "smear."[79]

Economy

Gaetz voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[80] He acknowledged that the bill's pass-through tax deduction would benefit Trump, and added, "but so many Americans benefit when commercial real estate becomes easier and more accessible."[81]

Environment

In 2016, Gaetz acknowledged global warming but said he disagrees with the scientific consensus on climate change that human activity is the primary cause. He said, "In our fervor to protect the environment, we lose sight of economic and scientific reality."[82] In April 2017, the Center for American Progress and Vice Media said Gaetz was a climate change denier, citing his 2016 statements.[83][84]

In January 2017, Gaetz proposed legislation to "completely abolish" the EPA. He said, "our small businesses cannot afford to cover the costs associated with compliance, too often leading to closed doors and unemployed Americans. It is time to take back our legislative power from the EPA and abolish it permanently."[24][85]

In November 2017, Gaetz joined the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.[86][87] He said, "I don't think there's a scientific debate left to be had on if it is happening. I also think history is going to judge very harshly climate change deniers, and I don't want to be one of them." He said he advocated technological innovation and economic incentives that address climate change, and increased federal funds for global warming research by NASA, NOAA and universities, but remained opposed to increased environmental regulation.[88]

In 2019, Gaetz introduced the bipartisan Super Pollutants Act, which, according to a press release from his office, "aims to slow climate change by regulating black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and methane–some of the most potent greenhouse gases. These short-lived climate pollutants, also called super pollutants, are significantly more potent than carbon dioxide."[89]

Foreign policy

Gaetz speaks with Secretary of Defense James Mattis in October 2017

Israel

Gaetz with Israeli president Reuven Rivlin in May 2018

In December 2017, Gaetz supported Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, saying, "Our nation's embassy is currently in Tel Aviv, which is disrespectful, dismissive, and wrong. Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem will send the Palestinian Authority a message that their days of denying Israel's existence are over, and that they must become an honest partner in peace."[90]

Yemen

In April 2019, after the House passed a resolution withdrawing American support for the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, Gaetz was one of nine lawmakers to sign a letter to Trump requesting a meeting with him and urging him to sign "Senate Joint Resolution 7, which invokes the War Powers Act of 1973 to end unauthorized US military participation in the Saudi-led coalition's armed conflict against" Houthi forces in Yemen, "initiated in 2015 by the Obama administration." The letter said that the "Saudi-led coalition's imposition of an air-land-and-sea blockade as part of its war against Yemen's Houthis has continued to prevent the unimpeded distribution of ... vital commodities, contributing to the suffering and death of vast numbers of civilians throughout the country". It went on to say that Trump's signing of the resolution would give a "powerful signal to the Saudi-led coalition to bring the four-year-old war to a close".[91]

Myanmar

In 2021, Gaetz was one of 14 House Republicans to vote against a measure condemning the Myanmar coup d'état that overwhelmingly passed, for reasons reported to be unclear.[92]

Gun policy

Former National Rifle Association president Marion Hammer called Gaetz "one of the most pro-gun members to have ever served in the Florida Legislature."[93] Gaetz is a lifetime member of the NRA,[93] and has an A+ rating from it.[94]

When Gaetz served in the Florida House of Representatives, he led an unsuccessful effort to allow Floridians with concealed-weapons permits to carry those weapons openly in public.[95] In lobbying for the bill, he said that the open carry of weapons was a right "granted not by government but by God."[96][97] Gaetz supports Florida's stand-your-ground law and supported legislation that strengthened it against legal challenges.[98] He also supports concealed carry reciprocity.[98]

Health care

In October 2017, Gaetz claimed that the Medicaid expansion permitted by the Affordable Care Act fueled the opioid crisis.[99] 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."[99]

Human trafficking

Gaetz was the lone no vote on the Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act, a bill allocating additional government resources to help combat human trafficking.[100][101] Gaetz later explained that his vote was due to his small government principles, believing that existing federal agencies could adequately combat human trafficking and stating that "voters in Northwest Florida did not send me to Washington to go and create more federal government."[101][102]

Immigration

Gaetz opposes sanctuary cities, which opt not to dedicate local law enforcement resources to prosecuting people solely for being undocumented.[103] Upon announcing his run for Congress in 2016, he said that illegal immigrants were "sucking us dry."[104] In January 2018, Gaetz defended a statement by Trump that Haiti and African nations were "shithole" countries, saying that Haiti was covered by "sheet metal and garbage" and in "disgusting" condition.[105]

In October 2018, Gaetz falsely claimed that George Soros paid for a caravan of migrants from Central America to the United States.[106]

LGBT rights

As a Florida state representative in 2015, Gaetz and Representative David Richardson sponsored an amendment to repeal Florida's ban on adoptions by same-sex couples.[107] He also persuaded his father, in the Florida State Senate, to support the repeal.[108] During the 116th Congress, he voted against the Equality Act.[109]

Mueller investigation

Main article: Special Counsel investigation (2017–2019)
Further information: Links between Trump associates and Russian officials and Business projects of Donald Trump in Russia

In November 2017, Gaetz introduced a congressional resolution calling for Robert Mueller to recuse himself as special counsel because of what were said to be conflicts of interest.[110] 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.[111][112] 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.[113][114]

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,[115] 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.[116][117]

Gaetz said of then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions that "over at the Department of Justice, he's got Stockholm syndrome, he's become sympathetic with his captors over there in the Deep State."[118]

During Mueller's testimony to two congressional committees on July 24, 2019, Gaetz told him, "if Russians were lying to Christopher Steele to undermine our confidence in our newly elected president, that would be precisely in your purview because you stated in your opening that the organizing principle was to fully and thoroughly investigate Russian interference. But you weren't interested in whether the Russians interfered through Steele—and if Steele was lying, then you should have charged him with lying like you charged a variety of other people."[119]

Controversies

Drunk driving arrest and speeding tickets

In 2008, Gaetz was arrested for driving under the influence as he was driving back from the Swamp, a nightclub on Okaloosa Island, Florida. Police recorded him driving 13 miles per hour over that area's speed limit[120] and noted that he had shown physical signs of intoxication. Gaetz initially denied that he had drunk alcohol, but later admitted to drinking two beers. He failed an eye test twice, then declined field sobriety tests. After Gaetz was arrested, he refused to take a breathalyzer test.[120]

Shortly after Gaetz's case was referred to state attorney Steve Meadows, Gaetz's driving license was reinstated. Though Florida law requires a year's suspension when a driver refuses a breathalyzer test, Gaetz's suspension was less than a year long. His refusal also did not lead to a criminal prosecution, where it could have been used against him. A Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles officer declared there was no evidence that Gaetz refused a breathalyzer test, despite the arresting police officer having documented it in an affidavit, the arrest report, and Gaetz's own attorney also documenting it. Gaetz's attorney also claimed that an unnamed witness who knew Gaetz "observed no indication of impairment".[120]

Meadows dismissed the charges against Gaetz. Gaetz has cited the dropped charges as proof that he was innocent.[120]

Between 1999 and 2014, Gaetz received 16 speeding tickets in Florida. The Scripps Florida Investigative Team reviewed him and 159 other Florida legislators, noting that 46 legislators had more than 10 driving violations.[121]

Crowdsourcing a resolution with a pro-Trump conspiracy forum

In its July–August 2017 issue, Foreign Policy reported that Devin Murphy, a Gaetz legislative aide, had written a resolution that Gaetz brought to the House Judiciary Committee, and that the resolution primarily used content from r/The_Donald, "a pro-Trump subreddit notorious for both its embrace of conspiracy theories and its gleeful offensiveness."[122] The r/The_Donald posters' suggestions are represented in "roughly two-thirds of the total finished amendment."[123]

One of the allegations was that James Comey had leaked investigative matters to New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt, beginning when Schmidt was around 10 years old.[122] In an email to Wired magazine, Gaetz said, "It is the responsibility of our staff to gather as much information as possible when researching a subject and provide that information for consideration. We pride ourselves on seeking as much citizen input as possible."[123]

Association with Charles C. Johnson

In January 2018, Gaetz invited alt-right Holocaust denier[124] Charles C. Johnson to attend Trump's State of the Union address. Gaetz said that he had no preexisting relationship with Johnson and invited him to attend only when Johnson showed up at his office, giving him the ticket that Gaetz's father could not use due to an illness. According to Johnson, he was invited by several members of Congress but took Gaetz's invitation because "he's into stuff on the issues that I care about."[125] Johnson previously raised money for the neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer.[126] Gaetz said in an interview that Johnson was "not a Holocaust denier, he's not a white supremacist".[124]

Apparent threat directed at Michael Cohen

On February 26, 2019, the night before the scheduled public hearing of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, before the House Oversight Committee, Gaetz directed a tweet to Cohen that implied without evidence that Cohen had had multiple extramarital affairs and also suggested his wife might be unfaithful while he was imprisoned due to new information disclosed to her.[70] Other members of Congress saw the tweet as an attempt to intimidate a witness.[127][70][128][129] Gaetz initially defended his tweet, saying it was part of "witness testing, not witness tampering" and "I don't threaten anybody." Asked to clarify, he said his "tweet speaks for itself".[130][131] After sharp criticism from other members of Congress and an implicit rebuke by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,[132][133] Gaetz deleted the tweet and posted a tweet in which he apologized.[131][129][134]

Despite not being a member of the House Oversight Committee,[131] Gaetz appeared at Cohen's hearing, stating that he wanted to observe and ask questions.[135] During the hearing, U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett, a member of the Oversight Committee, recommended that Gaetz be referred to both the House Ethics Committee and criminal prosecutors for witness intimidation and tampering.[133][136] After the hearing, Gaetz reportedly texted an apology to Cohen, who thanked him for the apology.[137]

The Florida Bar opened an investigation into Gaetz for the tweet,[127][138] as did the House Ethics Committee.[139] In August 2019, the Florida Bar announced it had found no probable cause that Gaetz had violated its rules.[140]

Security breach of House of Representatives SCIF

In October 2019, Gaetz organized a "storming" of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility on Capitol Hill by about two dozen Republican congressmen, including House minority whip Steve Scalise, in an effort to sit in on and hear the deposition of a Pentagon official during the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump. The congressmen's cell phones and other devices put the secure facility, and U.S. national security, at risk.[141][142][143]

One committee member said, "It was the closest thing I've seen around here to mass civil unrest as a member of Congress."[144][145] House Homeland Security Committee chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi wrote to the House sergeant-at-arms about Gaetz and others, requesting that he take action regarding their "unprecedented breach of security". South Carolina's senior U.S. senator, Lindsey Graham, admonished the House members, calling them "nuts" for having made a "run on the SCIF."[146][143] Ohio representative Jim Jordan said, "The members have just had it, and they want to be able to see and represent their constituents and find out what's going on."[143] A day later, Jordan appeared on Fox News to justify the intrusion, saying of the chair of the committee: "Adam Schiff is doing this unfair, partisan process in secret and our members finally said, 'Enough'. We're so frustrated. They reached a boiling point and these guys marched in and said we want to know what's going on."[146] In the 116th Congress, Pelosi, who is a committee member ex officio, appointed Schiff and 12 Democratic members of the House Intelligence Committee.[147] House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, also an ex officio member, appointed the ranking member, Devin Nunes, and eight other Republicans to the committee.[148] Each side got equal time to question witnesses.[144] The disruption delayed Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary Laura Cooper's testimony by many hours.[142][143]

COVID-19

In March 2020, Gaetz wore a gas mask during a House debate on funds to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.[149] Gaetz has claimed that wearing the gas mask was not an act of mockery but a way of "demonstrating his concern."[150] Several journalists characterized the decision as a stunt.[151][152][153] A few days later, on March 9, his office reported that Gaetz had been in contact with a Conservative Political Action Conference attendee who tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, Gaetz was placed under self-quarantine for 14 days.[150] On March 10, he said his test was negative, but that he would stay under self-quarantine until the 14-day period ended on March 12.[154]

On April 14, Gaetz said the Wuhan Institute of Virology "birthed a monster", a reference to the unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that Chinese scientists deliberately engineered COVID-19 as a bioweapon.[155] He also falsely claimed that the National Institutes of Health gave the Institute a $3.7 million grant. The U.S.-based EcoHealth Alliance that worked with the Institute under a grant the Trump administration approved eventually had that funding withdrawn.[155]

After Politico reported on November 7 that Gaetz had tested positive for COVID-19, he texted Politico "I have tested positive for antibodies" and "I have no live virus". He said he had no symptoms and was not sure when he had contracted the disease.[156]

On December 4, Gaetz attended an indoor New York Young Republicans Club conference in Jersey City, New Jersey, during a period of surging COVID-19 cases throughout the state and the country. He was seen posing for photos in a crowd of unmasked attendees, prompting New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop to publicly condemn him. Gaetz and other GOP members mocked Democrats and their COVID-19 regulations on social media. Murphy also said state officials were investigating whether the event violated the state's COVID-19 regulations.[157]

"Glorifying violence" label on Twitter

On June 1, 2020, during the nationwide George Floyd protests, Gaetz tweeted, "Now that we clearly see antifa as terrorists, can we hunt them down like we do those in the Middle East?" In response, Twitter hid the tweet and labeled it as "[violating] the Twitter Rules about glorifying violence". Gaetz called the label a "badge of honor", accused Twitter of enabling Antifa, and again said that "[o]ur government should hunt [Antifa] down".[158]

On August 26, 2020, Gaetz posted: "The mob wants to destroy America. We need PATRIOTS who will defend her" in support of Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old from Antioch, Illinois, who traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he shot and killed two people and injured another during the protests of the Jacob Blake shooting. Rittenhouse was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide.[159][160][161]

Possible ethics violations

In April 2020, Politico reported that Gaetz had spent nearly $200,000 of taxpayer funds renting an office from Collier Merrill, a Pensacola real estate developer and restaurateur and longtime friend, adviser, campaign donor, and legal client.[162] 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."[163] 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)."[162] On July 1, 2020, the Office of Congressional Ethics notified Gaetz it had terminated its review of the lease arrangements.[164]

In July 2020, Politico reported that its investigation had found expenditures by Gaetz that appeared to violate the House ethics rules: spending tens of thousands of dollars for a speechwriting consultant, and having a private company install a television studio in his father's home in Niceville, Florida, which Gaetz uses when he appears on television.[165]

Gaetz's office acknowledged that he spent $28,000 on speechwriting services, which is prohibited by House rules except in special circumstances and with prior approval from congressional officials, but said that it was a clerical error that it would fix.[166][167] 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.[165] A statement from Gaetz's office said the arrangement complied with House rules, and that during the setup process, his office consulted with the House Ethics Committee and the House Administration Committee.[167]

In late February 2021, Gaetz and a dozen other Republican House members skipped votes and enlisted others to vote for them, citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But he and the other members were actually attending the Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held at the same time as their absences.[168] In response, the Campaign for Accountability, an ethics watchdog group, filed a complaint with the House Committee on Ethics and requested an investigation into Gaetz and the other lawmakers.[169]

2021 storming of the United States Capitol

Main article: 2021 storming of the United States Capitol

On January 7, 2021, following the attack on the Capitol, Gaetz falsely said there was "pretty compelling evidence from a facial recognition company showing that some of the people who breached the Capitol today were not Trump supporters. They were masquerading as Trump supporters, and in fact were members of the violent terrorist group antifa". Gaetz acknowledged during his speech on the House floor that he did not know "if the reports are true." The Washington Post called the claims "baseless".[170][171] As of March 2021, no evidence has emerged linking antifa to the storming of the Capitol.

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! #StopTheSteal".[172]

Alleged sexual relationships with minors

In March 2021, The New York Times reported that the Department of Justice was investigating Gaetz on allegations of a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in 2019, and that investigators were examining whether he had violated federal sex trafficking laws by allegedly paying her to travel with him across state lines.[173][174] According to the Times, the investigation began during the Trump administration.[173] CNN reported that investigators were also examining whether Gaetz used campaign money for travel and expenses, and whether cash and drugs were involved.[175] Gaetz denied any wrongdoing, asserting that travel records would refute the allegation and that he and his family were "victims of an organized criminal extortion involving a former DOJ official seeking $25 million".[173][176] No charges have been brought against Gaetz,[173] who has said that he will not resign his House seat and has denied that he had romantic relationships with minors.[173]

The investigation was reported to be part of a broader investigation involving a Gaetz political ally, former Seminole County tax collector Joel Greenberg, who was indicted in 2020 on an array of charges related to sex trafficking.[173] The Times subsequently reported investigators believe Greenberg met women through a website for sex and introduced them to Gaetz, who also had sex with them. Such activity is unlawful only if money is exchanged explicitly for sex, and the Times and Washington Post reported there was evidence suggesting Gaetz had done so, including mobile payment receipts. Greenberg was charged with sex trafficking involving the same 17-year-old girl involved in the Gaetz investigation, according to the Times. The investigation reportedly also involved other men, including an unnamed figure in Florida Republican politics, and examined whether Gaetz asked women to recruit others for sex.[177][178] In 2017, Gaetz was the only member of Congress to vote against a bill to combat human trafficking.[179]

Gaetz asserted the alleged extortion began in March 2021 with a text message to his father, Don Gaetz, demanding money in exchange for making sex trafficking allegations "go away".[180] He said his attorneys contacted the FBI, which he said told them he was a subject, rather than a target, of an investigation. He claimed his father agreed to wear a "wire" to record the alleged extortionists.[181] Gaetz sent Axios screenshots of text messages, emails and documents outlining the alleged extortion scheme, which he claimed was being run by David McGee, a former federal prosecutor who had been a private attorney since 2005.[174][182] McGee's law firm called Gaetz's allegation false and defamatory,[180] telling The Daily Beast the reports of extortion were "completely, totally false" and designed to distract from the investigation into whether Gaetz violated sex trafficking laws.[183]

Additionally, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, Gaetz said that someone had alleged that there were photographs of him "with child prostitutes", which Gaetz said was false.[184] This allegation had not been made public before Gaetz brought it up.[185] Gaetz's father released a letter purportedly part of the extortion scheme, which alleged that the FBI had photographs of Gaetz engaged in a "sexual orgy with underage prostitutes", leading to a demand for money to help secure the release of Robert Levinson (who disappeared in Iran in 2007 and is believed to have died there by 2020), which would supposedly spur a pardon for Gaetz from President Joe Biden.[186][187][188]

On March 31, 2021, it was reported that Gaetz would keep his role on the United States House Committee on the Judiciary and the United States House Committee on Armed Services while the investigation was ongoing. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said that Gaetz would be removed from the committees if the charges against him were proven, though he also said Gaetz would be removed if he were indicted.[189][190]

CNN subsequently reported that Gaetz had shown pictures of naked women he claimed to have slept with, including to colleagues on the House floor.[191] His communications director, Luke Ball, resigned on April 2, after working for Gaetz since 2017.[192]

On April 8, 2021, it was reported that federal investigators were looking into a trip to the Bahamas that Matt Gaetz allegedly took sometime between late 2018 and early 2019. Unidentified sources told CBS News that Gaetz was joined by marijuana entrepreneur and hand surgeon Jason Pirozzolo, who allegedly paid for travel expenses, accommodations, and female escorts for the trip. Investigators are reportedly trying to determine if the escorts were sexually trafficked for Gaetz. Investigators are also looking into if Gaetz was accepting paid escorts in exchange for political access or legislative favors for Pirozzolo, who at the time was the co-founder and chairman of the board of the Medical Marijuana Physicians Association. Gaetz has previously made two speeches for the organization while in Congress, and Pirozzolo gave two separate donations of $1,000 to Gaetz's campaign arm, "Friends of Matt Gaetz," in March 2016 and May 2017.[193] A spokeswoman for Gatez denied the new allegations.[194]

On April 8, 2021, it was reported that Greenburg is like to strike a plea deal in his case and cooperate with prosecutors according to his attorneys.[195][196][197]

Personal life

Gaetz grew up in a house that was used in the film The Truman Show. As of 2018, his parents still live in that house, in Seaside, Florida. A sign on their white picket fence says "the Truman house".[198]

His younger sister Erin was director of digital content for Jeb Bush's 2016 presidential campaign.[199]

In June 2020, following an argument with then-Representative Cedric Richmond, Gaetz said he had been living with a 19-year-old immigrant from Cuba, Nestor Galbán, since Galbán was 12, and considered Nestor his son. He later clarified that Galbán is the brother of an ex-girlfriend of Gaetz's and that Galbán spends time with his sister, with Gaetz's family, and with Gaetz.[200] The two are not related genetically or legally.[201][202][203] Gaetz said, "Our relationship as a family is defined by our love for each other, not by any paperwork."[200] In 2016, he called Galbán a "local student"; in 2017, he called Galbán "my helper".[203]

In December 2020, Gaetz announced his engagement to his girlfriend, Ginger Luckey, the sister of Oculus VR founder and major Republican donor Palmer Luckey.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Eustachewich, Lia (December 31, 2020). "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is engaged to Ginger Luckey". New York Post. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  2. ^ "Full Name: Matthew Louis Gaetz II". VoterRecords.com. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  3. ^ Naughtie, Andrew (January 28, 2021). "After the fall of Trump, Matt Gaetz matters more than ever". The Independent.
  4. ^ "Gaetz, Matthew L." Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  5. ^ Seiger, Theresa (February 27, 2019). "Who is Matt Gaetz? Things to know about congressman accused of threatening Michael Cohen". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cox Media Group. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  6. ^ "Biography". Congressman Matt Gaetz. U.S. House of Representatives.
  7. ^ Menzel, Margie (November 9, 2012). "Five Questions for Don Gaetz". Sunshine State News. The News Service of Florida.
  8. ^ "Matthew Gaetz". Martindale-Hubbell. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  9. ^ "About". Congressman Matt Gaetz. December 3, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  10. ^ "Member Profile – Matthew Louis Gaetz II". The Florida Bar. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  11. ^ Colavecchio-Van Sickler, Shannon (March 30, 2008). "GOP lawmaker Don Gaetz is rising fast as a state Senate leader". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  12. ^ "Phillip Goetz (1798-1879) - Find A Grave Memorial". Find a Grave. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Rubino, Kathryn (January 14, 2021). "Law School Alums Looking To Distance Themselves As Much As Humanly Possible From Matt Gaetz". Above the Law. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  14. ^ "About". Congressman Matt Gaetz. December 3, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Mencimer, Stephanie (September–October 2019). "How Matt Gaetz used daddy's money to become Trump's favorite congressman". Mother Jones. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  16. ^ Bender, Michael (February 21, 2010). "Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom resigns". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  17. ^ a b "March 23, 2010 Special Primary House 4". results.elections.myflorida.com. Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  18. ^ "April 13, 2010 Special General Congressional 19 & House 4". results.elections.myflorida.com. Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  19. ^ "Matt Gaetz". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 26, 2019. He had no opposition in the August 24th primary or the general election
  20. ^ "Matt Gaetz". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 26, 2019. Gaetz ran unopposed in the Republican primary ... and was unchallenged in the general election
  21. ^ "Matt Gaetz". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 26, 2019. Incumbent Matt Gaetz was unopposed in the Republican primary and was unchallenged in the general election.
  22. ^ Klas, Mary Ellen (April 25, 2013). "Florida House approves speeding up executions". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  23. ^ Flanigan, Tom (April 12, 2013). "Ethanol Fuels To Evaporate Under House Bill". WFSU-TV. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  24. ^ a b Kaufman, Alexander C. (January 31, 2017). "Florida Congressman Drafts Bill To 'Completely Abolish' The EPA". HuffPost. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  25. ^ McLaughlin, Tom (June 1, 2013). "Rick Scott Signs Ethanol Bill Repealing Required Percentage Statute". HuffPost. Northwest Florida Daily News. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  26. ^ "Act of revenge? How the 'revenge porn' bill ended up so flawed". Florida Trend. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  27. ^ Van Sickler, Michael (August 2, 2013). "Weatherford calls for hearings on 'stand your ground'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  28. ^ Mitchell, Tia (August 22, 2013). "Matt Gaetz to rally base ahead of Stand Your Ground hearing". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  29. ^ Mullins, Dexter (March 25, 2014). "Proposed 'stand your ground' amendment would expunge records". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  30. ^ Van Sickler, Michael (February 18, 2014). "Matt Gaetz wants to talk about his mug shot, but not his arrest". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  31. ^ Henderson, Jeff (May 13, 2013). "Matt Gaetz Makes It Official, Will Shoot for Dad's Senate Seat in 2016". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  32. ^ Clark, Kristen (March 21, 2016). "Matt Gaetz launches bid for Congress, handing fathers state Senate seat to George Gainer". Miami Herald.
  33. ^ "Florida House Races Results". Politico. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  34. ^ "Florida U.S. House 1st District Results: Matt Gaetz Wins". Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  35. ^ @MattGaetz (September 24, 2016). "To all who will kneel during the anthem today – just remember how Jose Fernandez risked his life just for the chance to stand for it" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ Mazza, Ed (September 25, 2016). "GOP Lawmaker Matt Gaetz Ripped For Tweet Politicizing Death Of MLB Star Jose Fernandez". The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  37. ^ "Meet Three of Our Freshmen Members: Reps. Gaetz, Rutherford, and Marshall". Main Street Advocacy. Republican Main Street Partnership. January 27, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  38. ^ "Members". Republican Main Street Partnership. Archived from the original on January 30, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  39. ^ "Members". Republican Main Street Partnership. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  40. ^ Little, Jim (April 5, 2019). "Matt Gaetz says he's not running for Alabama Senate seat against Doug Jones". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  41. ^ Brito, Christopher (February 6, 2020). "Matt Gaetz files ethics complaint against Nancy Pelosi for ripping Trump speech". CBS News. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  42. ^ Forgey, Quint (February 27, 2020). "Rep. Matt Gaetz, top Trump ally, swears off PAC money". Politico. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  43. ^ Lanktree, Graham (February 13, 2018). "Trump Says Democrats Hate His Budget – But Some Republicans Don't Like It Much Either". Newsweek. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  44. ^ Some sources state that Gaetz is "close to" the caucus, e.g.: Lucas, John (July 13, 2018). "President Trump takes a break from his European visit to endorse Rep. Matt Gaetz". The Capitolist. Retrieved October 15, 2018. / Smith, Allan; Perticone, Joe (January 13, 2018). "The most conservative congressmen are going all-out to fight for Trump against Mueller and the Russia probe". Business Insider. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  45. ^ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  46. ^ Treene, Alayna. "Rep. Matt Gaetz eyes early retirement from Congress to take job at Newsmax". Axios. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  47. ^ Schmidt, Michael S.; Benner, Katie (March 30, 2021). "Matt Gaetz Is Said to Be Investigated Over Possible Sexual Relationship With a Girl, 17". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  48. ^ Blitzer, Ronn (April 1, 2021). "Matt Gaetz case gets more bizarre as extortion claim involves search for missing ex-FBI agent Robert Levinson". Yahoo! News. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  49. ^ Tracy, Abigail (March 3, 2020). ""The President's Big Into Buddy Checks": In the MAGA Circus with Matt Gaetz, Trump's Ultimate Protégé". Vanity Fair.
  50. ^ Contorno, Steve (August 25, 2020). "'It's a horror film': Matt Gaetz warns of Democratic rule at Republican convention". Tampa Bay Times.
  51. ^ Kampeas, Ron (August 19, 2020). "Jewish anti-Muslim provocateur Laura Loomer wins GOP primary in Florida". The Times of Israel. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Matt Gaetz, a far-right figure who is close to Trump
  52. ^ Kennedy, Emma. "Matt Gaetz proposes to reschedule marijuana". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  53. ^ "Representatives Matt Gaetz and Donna Shalala Introduce the Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: house.gov. September 12, 2019.
  54. ^ Armento, Paul (April 27, 2018). "Legislation Introduced To End The Federal Government's Marijuana Production Monopoly". NORML. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  55. ^ Jaeger, Kyle (January 16, 2019). "GOP Congressman Refiles Marijuana Research Bill With Important Changes". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  56. ^ Leary, Alex (May 21, 2018). "Trump ally Matt Gaetz makes a push for medical marijuana". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  57. ^ "Scott Signs Medical Marijuana Bill for Terminally Ill, Enabling Experimental Drugs". FlaglerLive.com. Palm Coast, Florida. March 25, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  58. ^ Sweeney, Dan (October 8, 2015). "Florida Legislature tackling the three Gs: God, gays and guns". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  59. ^ "Lawmaker wants terminally ill to have access to medical marijuana". Sun-Sentinel. Associated Press. October 7, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  60. ^ Wilson, Kirby (September 30, 2017). "Matt Gaetz to speak at medical marijuana doctors conference with Trump associate Roger Stone". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  61. ^ Jaeger, Kyle (November 20, 2019). "Marijuana Legalization Bill Approved By Congressional Committee In Historic Vote". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  62. ^ Sully, Evan; Owram, Kristine (November 20, 2019). "House Panel Approves First Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana at Federal Level". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  63. ^ "Congressman Gaetz Speaks at Press Conference Introducing STATES Act, Calls for Hearing in Judiciary Committee" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: house.gov. April 4, 2019.
  64. ^ Angell, Tom (January 18, 2019). "GOP Congressman Talks To Trump About Marijuana And Slams 'Stupid' Anti-Cannabis Republican Colleagues". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  65. ^ a b Moghe, Sonia (February 23, 2017). "One Republican congressman's plan to deal with town hall disrupters". CNN. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  66. ^ Strickland, T.S. (February 24, 2017). "At town hall, conservative lawmaker calls on Trump to release tax returns". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  67. ^ LoBianco, Tom (February 23, 2017). "Under fire, GOP congressman calls for Trump tax returns". CNN. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  68. ^ Norton, Allie (February 23, 2017). "Gaetz meets with protesters during Santa Rosa County town hall tour". WEAR-TV. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
  69. ^ Dovere, Edward-Isaac. "Trump's Best Buddy in Congress Wants Sessions to Fire Mueller". Politico. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  70. ^ a b c Blake, Aaron (February 26, 2019). "Rep. Matt Gaetz's very witness-tamper-y Michael Cohen tweet". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  71. ^ Estepa, Jessica. "Matt Gaetz joins Republican lawmakers in nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  72. ^ Cordeiro, Monivette. "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz actually nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  73. ^ Dorman, Sam (February 20, 2020). "'The View' co-hosts argue with Gaetz over stance on Roger Stone pardon: 'Oh, come on congressman!'". Fox News. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  74. ^ Muñoz, Gabriella (October 14, 2019). "GOP member of Judiciary Committee not allowed in Fiona Hill deposition". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  75. ^ a b Schmidt, Michael S.; Haberman, Maggie; Fandos, Nicholas (April 6, 2021). "Matt Gaetz, Loyal for Years to Trump, Is Said to Have Sought a Blanket Pardon". The New York Times.
  76. ^ Brown, Pamela; Acosta, Jim; LeBlanc, Paul (April 6, 2021). "Matt Gaetz sought a preemptive pardon from Trump, but the request was never seriously considered". CNN. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  77. ^ Leonard, Ben (April 7, 2021). "Trump claims Gaetz 'never asked me for a pardon'". Politico. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  78. ^ Sheth, Sonam. "Trump reportedly had to be talked out of defending Matt Gaetz because the allegations against him were so serious". Business Insider. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  79. ^ Suebsaeng, Asawin (April 3, 2021). "Trump Isn't Coming to Matt Gaetz's Rescue—for Now". The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  80. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  81. ^ Sarlin, Benjy (December 19, 2017). "Republican-led Congress passes sweeping tax bill". WAVY-TV. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  82. ^ Breaux, Collin (April 16, 2016). "Local political figures cautious about sea level rise". The News Herald. Panama City, Florida. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  83. ^ Moser, Claire; Koronowski, Ryan (April 28, 2017). "The Climate Denier Caucus in Trump's Washington". ThinkProgress. Center for American Progress. Retrieved November 3, 2017.[non-primary source needed]
  84. ^ "Florida's Climate Change Deniers". Vice Media. April 25, 2017. Motherboard. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  85. ^ "H.R.861 – To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency". February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  86. ^ "90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members". Citizen's Climate Lobby. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  87. ^ Valk, Steve (December 5, 2017). "Matt Gaetz, the Climate Solutions Caucus and the bumpy road to bipartisan consensus". Citizens' Climate Lobby. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  88. ^ Baucum, Joseph (November 25, 2017). "After pushing bill to abolish EPA, Rep. Matt Gaetz joins Climate Solutions Caucus". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  89. ^ "Reps. Gaetz, Peters Introduce Bill to Slow Climate Change, Reduce Super Pollutants". Congressman Matt Gaetz. September 6, 2019.
  90. ^ Leary, Alex (December 6, 2017). "Florida reaction to Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel". Tampa Bay Times.
  91. ^ Haitiwanger, John (April 5, 2019). "Bernie Sanders, Rand Paul, Ro Khanna, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to Trump imploring him to end US support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen". sfgate.com.
  92. ^ Diaz, Daniella; Wilson, Kristin (March 19, 2021). "14 House Republicans vote against a measure condemning military coup in Myanmar". CNN. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  93. ^ a b "Meet Matt Gaetz". Gaetz for Congress. Friends of Matt Gaetz. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  94. ^ "Florida GOP candidate to give away semi-automatic rifle". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. June 20, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  95. ^ Clark, Kristen (October 6, 2015). "Openly carry guns in Florida? Bill clears first hurdle in state House". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  96. ^ Hiaasen, Carl (October 17, 2015). "Carl Hiaasen: from God's lips to Gaetz's ears". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  97. ^ Call, James (October 6, 2015). "Gaetz: Open carrying of guns is a right granted by God". Tallahassee Democrat. Tallahassee, Florida. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  98. ^ a b Gaetz, Matt (January 17, 2017). "Rep. Gaetz: Second Amendment not negotiable". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  99. ^ a b "No evidence to prove Medicaid expansion fueled opioid crisis". @politifact. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  100. ^ Little, Jim (December 29, 2017). "Matt Gaetz defends lone no vote on anti-human trafficking bill". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  101. ^ a b Snodgrass, Erin (March 31, 2021). "Matt Gaetz is under investigation on suspicion of violating federal sex-trafficking laws. In 2017, he cast the only vote against a human trafficking bill". Business Insider. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  102. ^ Peters, Xander (December 29, 2017). "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was literally the only person to vote against an anti-human trafficking bill". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  103. ^ Valverde, Miriam (August 30, 2017). "Gaetz misleads in claim about immigrants, crime". PolitiFact. Poynter Institute. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  104. ^ Kam, Dara (March 21, 2016). "Matt Gaetz runs for U.S. Congress, blasts 'illegal immigrants' and 'Muslim terrorists'". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  105. ^ Mazza, Ed (January 16, 2018). "GOP Lawmaker Matt Gaetz Slams Haiti: 'Sheet Metal And Garbage' Everywhere You Look". HuffPost. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  106. ^ Qiu, Linda (October 20, 2018). "Did Democrats, or George Soros, Fund Migrant Caravan? Despite Republican Claims, No". The New York Times. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  107. ^ "Amendment 936767". MyFloridahouse.gov. Fl House.
  108. ^ Thrush, Glenn (March 30, 2019). "Matt Gaetz Is a Congressman Liberals Love to Loathe. It's All Part of the Plan". The New York Times.
  109. ^ "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 217". clerk.house.gov. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. May 17, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  110. ^ Perticone, Joe (November 3, 2017). "Republicans just introduced a resolution to remove Mueller from the Trump-Russia investigation". Business Insider. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  111. ^ Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a special counsel should be appointed by the Attorney General or his designee to investigate misconduct by former Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James B. Comey with regard to the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for mishandling of classified data and use of an unauthorized email server. at Congress.gov
  112. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (November 3, 2017). "Conservative Republicans demand Mueller recuse himself over uranium deal". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  113. ^ Ward, Alex (December 14, 2017). "The conservative case to fire Robert Mueller, explained". Vox. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  114. ^ Marcos, Christina (November 3, 2017). "GOP lawmaker calls for Mueller recusal over uranium deal". The Hill. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  115. ^ Golshan, Tara (July 7, 2018). "Jim Jordan is accused of turning a blind eye to Ohio State sexual abuse. Now he's attacking the accusers". Vox. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  116. ^ Viebeck, Elise; Crites, Alice (July 9, 2018). "Representative Jim Jordan returns to Washington as scrutiny over alleged sexual abuse at Ohio State intensifies". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  117. ^ Wise, Justin (July 12, 2018). "GOP lawmaker: Accusations against Jim Jordan come from 'deep state'". The Hill. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  118. ^ "Tapper presses lawmaker: Who is the deep state?". CNN. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  119. ^ Singman, Brooke (July 25, 2019). "Republicans confront Mueller with allegations of double standard in Russia probe". Fox News.
  120. ^ a b c d Van Sickler, Michael (February 18, 2014). "Lawmaker's talk of mug shot raises questions about DUI arrest". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  121. ^ Krauth, Dan; Heimeriks, Niels (July 25, 2014). "Some legislators rack up multiple speeding tickets, Scripps investigation finds". TC Palm. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  122. ^ a b Jurecic, Quinta (August 1, 2017). "The House Judiciary Committee Is Hard at Work Investigating Reddit Conspiracies". Foreign Policy. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  123. ^ a b Feinberg, Ashley (July 18, 2017). "A GOP Staffer Crowdsourced an Anti-Clinton Resolution from Reddit". Wired. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  124. ^ a b "GOP lawmaker condemned for inviting Holocaust denier to State of the Union". The Guardian. February 1, 2018.
  125. ^ Markay, Lachlan; Resnick, Gideon (January 31, 2018). "Florida (Congress)Man Invited Infamous Troll Chuck Johnson to Trump's State of The Union". The Daily Beast. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  126. ^ Delk, Josh (January 31, 2018). "GOP rep invited alt-right activist to the State of the Union". The Hill. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  127. ^ a b Flynn, Meagan; Bade, Rachael; Thebault, Reis (February 27, 2019). "Rep. Matt Gaetz insists he didn't threaten Michael Cohen. The Florida Bar is now investigating". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  128. ^ Bade, Rachael (February 26, 2019). "Trump ally threatens Cohen with unsubstantiated allegation of womanizing". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  129. ^ a b Cillizza, Chris (February 26, 2019). "A high-profile Trump ally in Congress just straight-up threatened Michael Cohen". CNN. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  130. ^ Wise, Justin (February 26, 2019). "GOP lawmaker says tweet about Cohen is 'witness testing, not witness tampering'". The Hill. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  131. ^ a b c Clark, Dartunorro; Reiss, Adam; Koenig, Kailani (February 26, 2019). "GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz apologizes for tweet targeting Michael Cohen". NBC News. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  132. ^ Restuccia, Andrew; Samuelsohn, Darren (February 27, 2019). "Trump ally Gaetz apologizes for threatening Michael Cohen ahead of hearing". Politico. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  133. ^ a b Pascus, Brian (February 27, 2019). "Rep. Matt Gaetz facing investigation over tweet about Michael Cohen". CBS News. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  134. ^ "Rep. Matt Gaetz tweets cryptic warning to Michael Cohen ahead of hearing". CBS News. February 27, 2019. Archived from the original on February 27, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  135. ^ Cillizza, Chris (February 28, 2019). "The winners and losers of Michael Cohen's House hearing". CNN. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  136. ^ "Michael Cohen testifies before Congress: Live updates". www.cnn.com. February 27, 2019.
  137. ^ Rodrigo, Chris (March 4, 2019). "Gaetz sent apology text to Cohen after House testimony: report". The Hill. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  138. ^ Shortell, David (February 27, 2019). "Florida Bar investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz for Cohen tweet". CNN. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  139. ^ Wagner, John (June 28, 2019). "Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Gaetz for tweet threatening Michael Cohen". The Washington Post.
  140. ^ Contorno, Steve (August 14, 2019). "'No probable cause' Matt Gaetz violated Florida Bar rules in tweets at Michael Cohen". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  141. ^ Ward, Alex (October 23, 2019). "House Republicans' national security-threatening impeachment stunt, explained by an expert". Vox.com. Vox Media. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  142. ^ a b Reps. Mo Brooks, Bradley Byrne at forefront of GOP charge into impeachment room, AL.com, Paul Gattis, October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  143. ^ a b c d Chaotic scene as Republicans disrupt impeachment deposition, The Washington Post, Michael Balsamo and Mary Clare Jalonick (Associated Press), October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  144. ^ a b After Republicans storm hearing room, Defense official testifies in impeachment inquiry, CNN, Manu Raju and Jeremy Herb, October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  145. ^ Total SCIF Show: The GOP's Raid Puts National Security at Risk, Wired.com, Brian Barrett, October 23, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  146. ^ a b Jim Jordan defends GOP lawmakers who stormed impeachment inquiry room, Fox News, Charles Creitz, October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  147. ^ House Floor Activities, January 3, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  148. ^ House Floor Activities, January 16, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  149. ^ Murdock, Sebastian (March 7, 2020). "Matt Gaetz Wore Gas Mask To Mock Coronavirus Concerns. One Of His Constituents Just Died From It". HuffPost.
  150. ^ a b Bort, Ryan (March 9, 2020). "Matt Gaetz, Who Mocked Coronavirus by Wearing Gas Mask on House Floor, Is Now in Quarantine". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  151. ^ Kelly, Caroline (March 9, 2020). "Rep. Matt Gaetz wore a gas mask on House floor during vote on coronavirus response package". CNN. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  152. ^ Marcin, Tim (April 10, 2020). "Matt Gaetz gets called out on Fox News for his coronavirus gas mask stunt". Mashable. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  153. ^ Moran, Lee (April 10, 2020). "Matt Gaetz's Coronavirus Gas Mask Stunt Comes Back To Haunt Him On Fox News". HuffPost. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  154. ^ Breuninger, Kevin (March 10, 2020). "GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz says he tested negative for coronavirus, will stay quarantined after contact with Trump". CNBC. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  155. ^ a b Pelley, Scott (May 11, 2020). "Trump administration cuts funding for coronavirus researcher, jeopardizing possible COVID-19 cure". CBS News. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  156. ^ Dixon, Matt (November 7, 2020). "Gaetz tests positive for coronavirus antibodies". Politico. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  157. ^ McFall, Caitlin (December 4, 2020). "Democratic NJ governor tells Matt Gaetz he's 'not welcome' in state". Fox News. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  158. ^ Conger, Kate (June 1, 2020). "Twitter Places Warning on Congressman's Tweet for Glorifying Violence". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  159. ^ Gaetz, Matt [@RepMattGaetz] (August 26, 2020). "Rep. Matt Gaetz on Twitter: "The mob wants to destroy America. We need PATRIOTS who will defend her."" (Tweet). Retrieved August 27, 2020 – via Twitter.
  160. ^ Billman, Jeffrey C. (September 2, 2020). "Fear distracts, divides and dehumanizes us. And fear is Trump's best friend". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  161. ^ Bernstein, Brittany (August 27, 2020). "Congressional Dems Label Wisconsin Shooter White Supremacist Without Evidence". National Review. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  162. ^ a b Sherman, Jake; Bresnahan, John (April 17, 2020). "Matt Gaetz rents office space from longtime friend and donor — at taxpayer expense". Politico. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  163. ^ McLaughlin, Tom (April 22, 2020). "Common Cause files complaint against Matt Gaetz, Collier Merrill about full disclosure". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  164. ^ Sherman, Jake; Bresnahan, John (July 9, 2020). "Ethics watchdog ends review of Gaetz's office lease". Politico. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  165. ^ a b Sherman, Jake; Bresnahan, John (July 22, 2020). "Matt Gaetz appears to run afoul of House ethics rules". Politico. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  166. ^ Sheth, Sonam (July 22, 2020). "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz may have broken House rules by sending nearly $30,000 in taxpayer funds to an LLC linked to a former Trump aide". Business Insider. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  167. ^ a b Little, Jim (July 22, 2020). "U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz denies wrongdoing in payments to ex-White House speechwriter". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  168. ^ Bash, Dana; Raju, Manu; Diaz, Daniella; Fox, Lauren; Warren, Michael (February 26, 2021). "More than a dozen Republicans tell House they can't attend votes due to 'public health emergency.' They're slated to be at CPAC". CNN. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  169. ^ Grayer, Annie; Diaz, Daniella (March 10, 2021). "First on CNN: Watchdog group requests investigation into 13 GOP lawmakers for misusing proxy voting". CNN. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  170. ^ "Rep. Matt Gaetz and other GOP politicians baselessly suggest antifa is to blame for pro-Trump mob rioting into Capitol". The Washington Post. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  171. ^ "How Matt Gaetz spread a falsehood about antifa infiltrating the mob that attacked Congress". Tampa Bay Times. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  172. ^ "Rep. Matt Gaetz Staffer Cheered On Capitol Rioters Via Parler as They Overran Police". Gizmodo. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  173. ^ a b c d e f Schmidt, Michael S.; Benner, Katie; Fandos, Nicholas (March 30, 2021). "Matt Gaetz Is Said to Face Justice Dept. Inquiry Over Sex With an Underage Girl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  174. ^ a b Swan, Jonathan (March 30, 2021). "Matt Gaetz says he's under federal investigation for sexual misconduct". Axios. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  175. ^ Perez, Evan; Shortell, David; Reid, Paula; Brown, Pamela. "Investigation of Matt Gaetz includes whether campaign funds were used to pay for travel and expenses". CNN.
  176. ^ Kevin, Breuninger (March 31, 2021). "GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz reportedly under DOJ investigation for possible sex trafficking of 17-year-old; he says he's being extorted". CNBC. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  177. ^ Benner, Katie; Schmidt, Michael S. (April 2, 2021). "Justice Dept. Inquiry Into Matt Gaetz Said to Be Focused on Cash Paid to Women". The New York Times.
  178. ^ Scherer, Michael (April 2, 2021). "Gaetz is said to have boasted of his 'access to women' provided by friend charged in sex-trafficking case". The Washington Post.
  179. ^ "Roll Call 695 Roll Call 695, Bill Number: S. 1536, 115th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. December 19, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  180. ^ a b Keller, Aaron (March 31, 2021). "Florida Law Firm Torches 'False and Defamatory' Allegations Matt Gaetz Made on Tucker Carlson's Show". Law & Crime.
  181. ^ Perez, Evan; Herb, Jeremy; Nobles, Ryan; Polantz, Katelyn (March 31, 2021). "Justice Department investigating Matt Gaetz as part of broader trafficking probe into another Florida politician". CNN.
  182. ^ Morgan, Lucy (September 16, 2005). "Top prosecutor joins law firm". Tampa Bay Times.
  183. ^ Al-Arshani, Sarah (March 30, 2021). "'Completely, totally false': Former DOJ official says Gaetz's claim of extortion is to distract from investigation". Business Insider.
  184. ^ Karl, Jonathan; Siegel, Benjamin; Steakin, Will; Faulders, Katherine (March 31, 2021). "Rep. Matt Gaetz denies sexual relationship with underage girl amid reports of DOJ investigation". ABC News. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  185. ^ Rupar, Aaron (March 31, 2021). "Matt Gaetz's disastrous Tucker Carlson interview, explained". Vox. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  186. ^ Jacobs, Ben (March 31, 2021). "Matt Gaetz Gets a Scandal As Wild As Him". New York Magazine. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  187. ^ Connor, Tracy; Sollenberger, Roger; Rawnsley, Adam (March 31, 2021). "Documents Detail Alleged 'Hostage Release' Scheme to Extort Gaetz". The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  188. ^ Man, Anthony (December 14, 2020). "Bob Levinson of Coral Springs died in Iranian custody, US government says". Sun Sentinel.
  189. ^ Balsamo, Michael; Tucker, Eric; Fram, Alan (March 30, 2021). "Gaetz staying on Judiciary panel, despite investigation". Associated Press. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  190. ^ Shabad, Rebecca; Williams, Pete; Winter, Tom; Clark, Dartunorro (March 31, 2021). "McCarthy calls allegations against Gaetz 'serious,' plans to speak with him". NBC News. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  191. ^ Herb, Jeremy; Fox, Lauren; Nobles, Ryan (April 2, 2021). "Gaetz showed nude photos of women he said he'd slept with to lawmakers, sources tell CNN". CNN. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  192. ^ Siegel, Benjamin; Faulders, Katherine (April 3, 2021). "Rep. Matt Gaetz's communications director resigns amid probe into allegations regarding Gaetz's sexual relationships". ABC News. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  193. ^ Garrett, Major; Kaplan, Michael; Hymes, Clare; April 8, Jessica Kegu CBS News; 2021; Am, 6:55. "Matt Gaetz trip to Bahamas is part of federal probe into sex trafficking, sources say". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 8, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last5= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  194. ^ Correspondent, Evan Perez, CNN Justice. "Federal investigators are scrutinizing Gaetz's trip to Bahamas". CNN. Retrieved April 8, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  195. ^ Liston, Barbara; Zapotosky, Matt. "Gaetz associate likely to strike plea deal with prosecutors in sex trafficking case". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  196. ^ CNN, Paula Reid and David Shortell. "Matt Gaetz associate likely to strike plea deal, attorneys say". CNN. Retrieved April 8, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  197. ^ Gerstein, Josh. "Key figure in Matt Gaetz probe likely cooperating with federal prosecutors". POLITICO. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  198. ^ Zak, Dan (February 20, 2018). "Rep. Matt Gaetz wants you to know who he is, and his plan is working". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  199. ^ Buzzacco-Foerster, Jenna (December 21, 2016). "Erin Gaetz launches her own digital content firm". Florida Politics. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  200. ^ a b Fontelo, Paul V. (June 20, 2020). "Matt Gaetz describes himself as 'single step-parent' to Nestor Galban". Roll Call. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  201. ^ Sheth, Sonam (June 19, 2020). "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz reveals he lives with a 19-year-old Cuban immigrant whom he calls his son". Business Insider.
  202. ^ Itkowitz, Colby (June 18, 2020). "Republican Matt Gaetz and son, Nestor, appear together on Fox News". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  203. ^ a b Siano, Nick; Medina, Daniella (June 18, 2020). "Rep. Matt Gaetz reveals adopted 19-year-old Cuban son Nestor on Twitter". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 1st congressional district
2017–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
265th 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Matt_Gaetz&oldid=1016749765"