I live in Texas. Yes, to the comments already posted. Paxton is THE GOP poster boy for being a complete criminal and not being held accountable. (yes, a VERY dangerous character) Texans have lost track of the number legal actions Paxton has and is still facing.
Yep, a person From Texas, But Not Texan - I can attest that he has all of the same Trump-esque qualities of finding his way in/out of legal issues w/hardly any of the consequences that ordinary citizens would face.
The report will be leaked anyway. Much of it is already out. It was the revelation of a second sexual assault on the then-17-year-old girl that probably led him to withdraw.
I suspect that it will be a long time before Gaetz can run for public office. While his withdrawal as AG nomination might slow the leaks of the report's content, it will eventually come out and that could thwart any aspirations for time being.
Yes, I do want the whole report to come out. Mike Johnson’s excuse for not releasing it is bunk. He said that now that Gaetz is a private citizen, releasing a report about his sexual conduct with an underage girl is out of the congress’ purview and people don’t want to set a precedent. Well, that is dumb because people do want statutory rape to be investigated.
Agree Michael, the report will leak at some point - its just a matter of timing/when it happens. The report fu-ferra will go underground for some amount of time.
At least we can take comfort that the House of Representatives has rules that prevent's Gaetz from rescinding his resignation and an interim appointment isn't possible.
I might be wrong on this point. It appears that Gaetz resigned from the 118th congress but was re-elected to the 119th session. Thus, this might be a loophole for that weasel to weasel his way back to his old seat. Good grief.
The first revelation of a sexual encounter with a 17 year old wasn't quite enough to force him out.
I mean, seriously, who among us HASN'T walked in to a party and, WITHIN MINUTES, mounted a nice 17 year old beauty.
But wait, that didn't do it. Nope, still plenty of folks willing to accept that.
But when you introduce a second sexual encounter at the SAME party, but this time it's a THREESOME with an adult woman, now there, in my best Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana drawl, that my boy, that is just a bridge too far for us family values folks.
I got questions:
What kind of party are these folks getting invited to attend?
Was Madison Cawthorn invited to the same parties?
How the heck is a congressman able to fork over $ 10,000 to pay for these girls, and doesn't that make them escorts?
Is Meek Garland really as incompetent as he seems?
It doesn't necessarily impeach their credibility. Especially if you can introduce other witnesses to confirm the key testimony. This was basically trump's defense in the NY criminal trial. They tried to discredit Michael Cohen as a former paid employee. The jury didn't buy it.
I don’t think so. The ethics report details activities and is relevant to the current Congress. My understanding was that he reports in January to a brand, new body, with or without a clean slate.
The ethics report is relevant to a member of congress (allegedly) breaking the law. If he joins the new congress the report will be in play, and seeing how his fellow House gop'ers dislike him very much, (gop members on the House floor cheered when they heard he had resigned, they were delighted to be rid of him) I doubt many would stand in the way of it's being released, especially if it does indeed contain evidence of his breaking the law.
Hope so. I wonder if he is going to resign from the new seat in 2025? They will then need a special election and Republican margin will be even slimmer. Let’s hope.
It allows him to be a martyr and use that to run for Governor. I'm not sure he's smart enough to have planned it all out but it can help with his base. I still hold out hope he's humiliated in a run for Gov but time will tell.
Chris, I agree with you 💯 completely on this one! Now he’s cleared the way for a gubernatorial run and there’s less likelihood the Ethics report will get in the way.
That said, what do you think about the reporting that a hacker got a PDF of the report being emailed between congressmen? I would still think *some* news network would be highly interested in an “exclusive” on that!
I am a resident of Florida, as I live here 6 months out of the year. I'm disgusted with the politics in the state but have decided to do my part and get involved to hopefully help change things.
I wonder: it is possible that Trump is picking up such indefensible people because there will be less opposition to other nominees, less controversial but as right-wing and loyal to him as these ones?
Yes. BUT, that House ethics investigation report could then be released.
Many House gop dislike him very much, I doubt they would try to block the report from being released if he rejoined the House, especially if it contains damning info.
I assumed he wanted to spend more time with his family.
And, by family, I mean teenage girls.
🤣🤣
Be ready for Ken Paxton as AG.
Gaetz was going to be bad for sure, but Paxton is a legit criminal as well. But much better at it.
Score a win for the normies, but, next guy up will be anything but.
Exactly my thought. Paxton is a much more formidable, dangerous selection.
I live in Texas. Yes, to the comments already posted. Paxton is THE GOP poster boy for being a complete criminal and not being held accountable. (yes, a VERY dangerous character) Texans have lost track of the number legal actions Paxton has and is still facing.
Yep, a person From Texas, But Not Texan - I can attest that he has all of the same Trump-esque qualities of finding his way in/out of legal issues w/hardly any of the consequences that ordinary citizens would face.
and watch them all go away if he's nominated
Yup, I think you’re right. Ugh.
Didn’t age well.
Trump’s picks for government are disgusting.
The report will be leaked anyway. Much of it is already out. It was the revelation of a second sexual assault on the then-17-year-old girl that probably led him to withdraw.
And shame on Florida if they elect this cretin.
I suspect that it will be a long time before Gaetz can run for public office. While his withdrawal as AG nomination might slow the leaks of the report's content, it will eventually come out and that could thwart any aspirations for time being.
I really hope it gets leaked somehow. That would be the FO part of Gaetz's FA.
Yes, I do want the whole report to come out. Mike Johnson’s excuse for not releasing it is bunk. He said that now that Gaetz is a private citizen, releasing a report about his sexual conduct with an underage girl is out of the congress’ purview and people don’t want to set a precedent. Well, that is dumb because people do want statutory rape to be investigated.
Agree Michael, the report will leak at some point - its just a matter of timing/when it happens. The report fu-ferra will go underground for some amount of time.
At least we can take comfort that the House of Representatives has rules that prevent's Gaetz from rescinding his resignation and an interim appointment isn't possible.
I might be wrong on this point. It appears that Gaetz resigned from the 118th congress but was re-elected to the 119th session. Thus, this might be a loophole for that weasel to weasel his way back to his old seat. Good grief.
I am 100% sure it will get out. Too many people had access to the full text and too many people hate him with deep passion.
Which even worse person will be up next?
I can't see how this would die down if he decides to run for Governor. In the meantime, I look forward to watching Matt Gaetz Real on FOX weekends.
I hear there's a morning weekend anchor opening on Fox.
What an era to be alive!
The first revelation of a sexual encounter with a 17 year old wasn't quite enough to force him out.
I mean, seriously, who among us HASN'T walked in to a party and, WITHIN MINUTES, mounted a nice 17 year old beauty.
But wait, that didn't do it. Nope, still plenty of folks willing to accept that.
But when you introduce a second sexual encounter at the SAME party, but this time it's a THREESOME with an adult woman, now there, in my best Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana drawl, that my boy, that is just a bridge too far for us family values folks.
I got questions:
What kind of party are these folks getting invited to attend?
Was Madison Cawthorn invited to the same parties?
How the heck is a congressman able to fork over $ 10,000 to pay for these girls, and doesn't that make them escorts?
Is Meek Garland really as incompetent as he seems?
But if you pay the witnesses not to testify, what case can be presented? Just asking questions.
It doesn't necessarily impeach their credibility. Especially if you can introduce other witnesses to confirm the key testimony. This was basically trump's defense in the NY criminal trial. They tried to discredit Michael Cohen as a former paid employee. The jury didn't buy it.
Isn’t he the newly elected congressman in the next (January) congress?
Yes. But, if he joins the next congress that ethics investigation report could then be released
I don’t think so. The ethics report details activities and is relevant to the current Congress. My understanding was that he reports in January to a brand, new body, with or without a clean slate.
The ethics report is relevant to a member of congress (allegedly) breaking the law. If he joins the new congress the report will be in play, and seeing how his fellow House gop'ers dislike him very much, (gop members on the House floor cheered when they heard he had resigned, they were delighted to be rid of him) I doubt many would stand in the way of it's being released, especially if it does indeed contain evidence of his breaking the law.
Hope so. I wonder if he is going to resign from the new seat in 2025? They will then need a special election and Republican margin will be even slimmer. Let’s hope.
That Gaetz could ever have a hope in hell of a political future is patently absurd and welcome to the new rethiglican order - I mean party.
A good number of Floridiots will vote for him when he runs for Governor of Florida…
OK by me, I don't live there.
Don't you mean, "Cult"?
It allows him to be a martyr and use that to run for Governor. I'm not sure he's smart enough to have planned it all out but it can help with his base. I still hold out hope he's humiliated in a run for Gov but time will tell.
Chris, I agree with you 💯 completely on this one! Now he’s cleared the way for a gubernatorial run and there’s less likelihood the Ethics report will get in the way.
That said, what do you think about the reporting that a hacker got a PDF of the report being emailed between congressmen? I would still think *some* news network would be highly interested in an “exclusive” on that!
It doesn't matter. If someone really did hack into the report, then everyone's still going to find out.
“Don’t cry for Matt Gaetz” 🤣. Thank you, Chris Cillizza!
But watch out Florida!
They deserve him. Sorry excuse for a state.
I am a resident of Florida, as I live here 6 months out of the year. I'm disgusted with the politics in the state but have decided to do my part and get involved to hopefully help change things.
Good luck!
💯‼️
I wonder: it is possible that Trump is picking up such indefensible people because there will be less opposition to other nominees, less controversial but as right-wing and loyal to him as these ones?
But, wasn't he re-elected in Nov? Couldn't he simply turn up and be sworn in for the next congress?
Yes. BUT, that House ethics investigation report could then be released.
Many House gop dislike him very much, I doubt they would try to block the report from being released if he rejoined the House, especially if it contains damning info.