Nation

‘Women’ of Gaetz’s office sign letter defending congressman

Published

4 years ago

April 8, 2021

The office of GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.), who is currently embroiled in a massive sex scandal, released a statement signed by “the women” of the office defending the congressman, but it does not list any names of the purported women.

The Justice Department is investigating whether Gaetz broke federal sex trafficking laws and had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, as The New York Times first reported last week. The congressman has repeatedly denied the allegations and has not been charged in the investigation.

“After the shocking allegations last week in the press, we, the women of Congressman Matt Gaetz’s office, feel morally obligated to speak out,” read the statement, signed by “The Women of the Office of U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz”.

“During Congressman Gaetz’s time in office, we have been behind the scenes every step of the way,” it continued. “We have staffed his meetings. We have planned his events. We have traveled with him. And we have tracked his schedule. On every occasion he has treated each and every one of us with respect. Thus, we uniformly reject these allegations as false.”

In Gaetz’s office, the statement also said, “women are not only respected, but have been encouraged time and time again to grow, achieve more, and ultimately, know our value.”

“Congressman Gaetz will continue to lead by example and stand for the people of America who have been maligned by the liberal elite. And we will stand with him,” the statement said at its conclusion. “While we recognize the scrutiny we will face for making this decision, we take comfort in the hope that more Americans and elected officials will stand up and refuse to remain silent.”

INBOX: The Women of U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz’s Office Speak Out in Defense of Rep. Gaetz pic.twitter.com/Cr5mIw787L
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) April 8, 2021

According to Insider, Gaetz’s office told the news outlet that his whole staff backed the statement, including “all 8 women staffers.”

Last week’s revelation from The Times has also spurred more allegations against the Florida Republican, such as a CNN report which cites multiple sources claiming that Gaetz would brag about his sexual exploits to fellow lawmakers and show off to them, even on the House floor, pictures and videos of nude women he had slept with. There is no indication, however, that the behavior from this report is connected in any way to the investigation.

You can follow Douglas Braff on Twitter @DouglasPBraff.

Nation

BREAKING: Trump Assassination Attempt Hearing Turns Into Screaming Match

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2024

Sara Carter Staff

What was supposed to be a hearing on the Secret Service agency’s failures leading to two assassination attempts against President-elect Trump, led to a shouting match on Capitol Hill. Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe, “shouted at Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, after the GOP lawmaker lambasted the service for security lapses that made Trump a target of two failed shooting attempts” according to Fox News, which details:

The outburst happened after Fallon showed a picture of Presidents Biden and Trump at a 9/11 commemoration ceremony this year and suggested that as the Special Agent in Charge of that detail, Rowe should have been close enough to Biden to be in the picture. Rowe was not pictured.

“Who is usually at an event like this closest to the President of the United States?” Fallon asked, pointing at the photo. “Were you the special agent in charge of the detail that day?”

Rowe said the security detail was present but out of view of the camera. As he spoke, he became enraged and accused Fallon of using 9/11 for political purposes.

“That is the day where we remember more than 3,000 people that have died on 9/11. I actually responded to Ground Zero,” Rowe said. “I was there going through the ashes of the World Trade Center.”

“I’m not asking that, I’m asking you, if you were… were you the special agent in charge!?” Fallon interrupted, shouting at Rowe.

Rowe raised his voice in response. “I was there to show respect for a Secret Service member that died on 9/11!” he yelled back.

“Do not invoke 9/11 for political purposes!” Rowe screamed at the lawmaker.

“I’m not,” Fallon fired back, as the committee chairman demanded order and banged his gavel.

“You are, sir. You are out of line, congressman!” Rowe fumed. “Way out of line.”

Fallon then accused Rowe of “playing politics” by refusing to answer his question.

“I am a public servant who has served this nation,” Rowe retorted, saying he served on the nation’s “darkest day.”

“You will not politicize it!” Rowe thundered.

WATCH EXCHANGE: FOX NEWS