"[213] Gaetz later deleted the tweet. He claimed that the decision was an example of "judicial activism" that posed "a threat to our democracy". In the November 8 general election, Gaetz defeated Democratic nominee Steven Specht with 69 percent of the vote. Gaetz 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. [17], After graduating from William & Mary Law School,[18] Gaetz worked at the law firm Keefe, Anchors & Gordon (now AnchorsGordon)[19] in Fort Walton Beach. [14][15] Gaetz was admitted to the Florida Bar on February 6, 2008. In both, he criticizes former House Speaker Paul Ryan for joining the board of Fox News's parent company and blames him for canceling Lou Dobbs Tonight. [181] The full title of the bill is "To prohibit Federal funds from being used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out programs with respect to digital health passes, and for other purposes. Ex-commander of US forces in Europe challenges Matt Gaetz for smirking at military chief The congressman claims military members 'loathe' critical race theory, but provided no evidence to. Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida and a close ally of former President Donald J. Trump, is being investigated by the Justice Department over whether he had a sexual relationship . 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. [274][275] According to Greenberg, he made the arrangements for Gaetz. Washington, D.C. U.S. His career in the Army includes serving in the War in Afghanistan. He was driving home from a nightclub and was pulled over for driving 48 in a 35 mile-per-hour zone, according . [93] Observers have described his views as far right. Rittenhouse was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide,[167][168] but was acquitted based on self-defense in November 2021. . [251] Gaetz sent Axios screenshots of text messages, emails and documents outlining the alleged extortion scheme, which he asserted was being run by David McGee,[252] a former federal prosecutor who has been a private attorney since 2005[253] and has represented the Levinson family. [216] He also persuaded his father, in the Florida State Senate, to support the repeal. He printed out part of his speech onto giant boards that he would hold up if he was unable to speak. [127][128], 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,[129] 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. Bill clears first hurdle in state House", "Gaetz: Open carrying of guns is a right granted by God", "Rep. Gaetz: Second Amendment not negotiable", "Matt Gaetz: Second Amendment Exists for 'Armed Rebellion Against the Government', "Video shows Rep. Gaetz blasting Silicon Valley and blustering about gun rights in the next breath", "Ted Lieu comes after Matt Gaetz following rally remarks about Silicon Valley", "No evidence to prove Medicaid expansion fueled opioid crisis", "Matt Gaetz Brings Out the Digital Health Pass Prevention Act", "Matt Gaetz Wore Gas Mask To Mock Coronavirus Concerns. Matt Gaetz Insulted The General Who Called Out His Critical Race Theory Nonsense, And It Did Not Go Over Well. [84][85], In the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans regained a narrow House majority. A Republican, he has been an ally of former president Donald Trump, as well as a proponent of far-right politics.. Time was the GOP would sing . It passed, 38825. [56] During the tour, Gaetz and Greene repeated debunked claims of fraud in the 2020 election, attacked Big Tech and, at one event, claimed that the Second Amendment was for "maintaining, within the citizenry, the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government, if that becomes necessary. 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. [108], On February 23, 2017, worried about protesters disrupting his appearance at his town hall in Pace, Florida, Gaetz prepared what his staffers called a nonverbal town hall. They're slated to be at CPAC", "First on CNN: Watchdog group requests investigation into 13 GOP lawmakers for misusing proxy voting", "Column: GOP ratchets up the hypocrisy in opposing Biden's student debt plan", "Florida politicians and Democratic Party got loans through PPP", In House Speaker Fight, Trump Struggles to Play Kingmaker, Gaetz says he's talked to Trump about making him House speaker, Another day, similar result: Adjournment with no speaker, "Trump Says Democrats Hate His Budget But Some Republicans Don't Like It Much Either", "President Trump takes a break from his European visit to endorse Rep. Matt Gaetz", "The most conservative congressmen are going all-out to fight for Trump against Mueller and the Russia probe", "Rep. Matt Gaetz Admits To Absurd GOP Priority If They Win Back House", "Matt Gaetz proposes to reschedule marijuana", "Representatives Matt Gaetz and Donna Shalala Introduce the Expanding Cannabis Research and Information Act", "Legislation Introduced To End The Federal Government's Marijuana Production Monopoly", "GOP Congressman Refiles Marijuana Research Bill With Important Changes", "Trump ally Matt Gaetz makes a push for medical marijuana", "Scott Signs Medical Marijuana Bill for Terminally Ill, Enabling Experimental Drugs", "Florida Legislature tackling the three Gs: God, gays and guns", "Lawmaker wants terminally ill to have access to medical marijuana", "Matt Gaetz to speak at medical marijuana doctors conference with Trump associate Roger Stone", "Marijuana Legalization Bill Approved By Congressional Committee In Historic Vote", "House Panel Approves First Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana at Federal Level", "Congressman Gaetz Speaks at Press Conference Introducing STATES Act, Calls for Hearing in Judiciary Committee", "GOP Congressman Talks To Trump About Marijuana And Slams 'Stupid' Anti-Cannabis Republican Colleagues", "One Republican congressman's plan to deal with town hall disrupters", "At town hall, conservative lawmaker calls on Trump to release tax returns", "Under fire, GOP congressman calls for Trump tax returns", "Gaetz meets with protesters during Santa Rosa County town hall tour", "Trump's Best Buddy in Congress Wants Sessions to Fire Mueller", "After the fall of Trump, Matt Gaetz matters more than ever", "Matt Gaetz joins Republican lawmakers in nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize", "Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz actually nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize", "GOP member of Judiciary Committee not allowed in Fiona Hill deposition", "Matt Gaetz, Loyal for Years to Trump, Is Said to Have Sought a Blanket Pardon", "Matt Gaetz sought a preemptive pardon from Trump, but the request was never seriously considered", "Trump claims Gaetz 'never asked me for a pardon', "Trump reportedly had to be talked out of defending Matt Gaetz because the allegations against him were so serious", "Republicans just introduced a resolution to remove Mueller from the Trump-Russia investigation", 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 Lynch and former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director, "Conservative Republicans demand Mueller recuse himself over uranium deal", "The conservative case to fire Robert Mueller, explained", "GOP lawmaker calls for Mueller recusal over uranium deal", "Jim Jordan is accused of turning a blind eye to Ohio State sexual abuse. . [219], In 2022, Gaetz voted against the Respect for Marriage Act. Democrats held 212 votes, with one seat unfilled due to the November death of a holdover incumbent. South Carolina's senior U.S. senator, Lindsey Graham, admonished the House members, calling them "nuts" for having made a "run on the SCIF. 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. [281] Gaetz is also accused of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits sex trafficking across state lines. The military's top officer on Wednesday volunteered a forceful defense to a congressional panel of the Defense Department's attempts to better understand social injustice within its ranks and. 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. [234] A woman on the Bahamas tripa Capitol Hill intern who did not work in Gaetz's office but who was dating Gaetzreportedly agreed in May 2021 to cooperate with investigators, who believe she has information about Gaetz's financial transactions on the trip. "I respect your. He's a paper pusher, and in no way do I respect him. [104], 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. [149], Gaetz voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Milley, who was testifying alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the hearing, was responding to Florida representatives Michael Waltz, a former Army Green Beret, and Matt Gaetz. American lawyer cum politician, Matt Gaetz, was never in the military. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom) On Tuesday night, The New York Times alleged that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is "under investigation over possible sex trafficking" of a minor. [160], In June 2021, Gaetz was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.[161][162]. [218], During the 116th Congress, Gaetz voted against the Equality Act. He also said his father agreed to wear a "wire" to help the FBI record the alleged extortionists. Gaetz and other GOP members mocked Democrats and their COVID-19 regulations on social media. Inquiry Into Matt Gaetz Said to Be Focused on Cash Paid to Women", "Gaetz is said to have boasted of his 'access to women' provided by friend charged in sex-trafficking case", "Matt Gaetz trip to Bahamas is part of federal probe into sex trafficking, sources say", "Federal investigators are scrutinizing Gaetz's trip to Bahamas", "Federal investigators press for cooperation from two key witnesses in Gaetz probe", "Matt Gaetz's ex-girlfriend to cooperate with federal authorities in sex trafficking investigation", "The Matt Gaetz Investigation: What We Know", "Matt Gaetz Associate Pleads Guilty On 2 Charges, Agrees To Cooperation Deal", "Gaetz: Trump 'should pardon everyone' including himself to quash liberal 'bloodlust', "Bombshell Letter: Gaetz Paid for Sex With Minor, Wingman Says", "Matt Gaetz's iPhone seized by the FBI in sex trafficking probe, as associate cooperates with investigation", "GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz reportedly under DOJ investigation for possible sex trafficking of 17-year-old; he says he's being extorted", "Florida Law Firm Torches 'False and Defamatory' Allegations Matt Gaetz Made on Tucker Carlson's Show", "Bob Levinson of Coral Springs died in Iranian custody, US government says", "Gaetz extortion scheme update: Court docs claim Alford lied about Iran hostage, Biden pardon", "Matt Gaetz Gets a Scandal As Wild As Him", "Documents Detail Alleged 'Hostage Release' Scheme to Extort Gaetz", "Florida man charged with attempting to defraud Rep. Matt Gaetz's family", "Florida developer charged in alleged $25M scheme to extort Gaetz's family", "Justice Department investigating Matt Gaetz as part of broader trafficking probe into another Florida politician", "Matt Gaetz says he's under federal investigation for sexual misconduct", "Convicted Fraudster Charged With Trying to Bilk Rep. Matt Gaetz and Dad for $25 Million", "Man charged with $25M extortion scheme promising pardon for Rep. Matt Gaetz", "Rep. Matt Gaetz denies sexual relationship with underage girl amid reports of DOJ investigation", "Matt Gaetz denies relationship with a 17-year-old and says he's a victim of attempted extortion", "Matt Gaetz's disastrous Tucker Carlson interview, explained", "McCarthy calls allegations against Gaetz 'serious,' plans to speak with him", "Gaetz staying on Judiciary panel, despite investigation", "Gaetz showed nude photos of women he said he'd slept with to lawmakers, sources tell CNN", "Spokesman for Rep. Matt Gaetz resigns 'out of principle' as DOJ investigates alleged sex with minor, payments for sex", "Live Updates: Second Gaetz Aide Said to Have Quit Amid Widening Investigation", "Another aide to Matt Gaetz is said to have quit amid an intensifying Justice Department investigation", "Female Staffers Defend Rep. Gaetz From Misconduct Claims In Unsigned Letter", "First GOP member of Congress calls on Matt Gaetz to resign", "Matt Gaetz Pleads For Money, And You Can Guess How People Are Responding", "Federal prosecutors looking into whether Gaetz obstructed justice", "Feds investigating obstruction as part of Gaetz probe, sources say", "As Gaetz investigation ramps up, feds mount sweeping probe into Central Florida political scene: Sources", "Gaetz associate providing feds intel, documents as probe into congressman continues: Sources", "Matt Gaetz says Fox News 'isn't what it used to be' and blames Paul Ryan", "Justice Dept. Tampa Bay Times, Feb. 18, 2014: Near midnight, Okaloosa County Deputy Chris Anglin clocked Gaetz going 48 in a 35 mph zone. [224] In late 2020, the Justice Department opened its investigation of Gaetz for allegedly sex trafficking the same 17-year-old girl in 2017 and whether he had violated federal sex trafficking laws by paying her to travel with him across state lines. 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