REPORT: Matt Gaetz Quietly Launches Plan To Exonerate Trump
Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is encouraging his fellow lawmakers to endorse a resolution stating that Donald Trump was not involved in an insurrection on January 6 during the Capitol breach, which could effectively “exonerate” him from the crime on the Congressional record.
A copy of the resolution revealed that it has already garnered the support of 27 initial co-sponsors. Efforts are underway to solicit additional backing from Republican offices in the House ahead of the South Carolina 2024 Republican primary.
The document stressed the position of the House of Representatives that former President Trump “did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.” The resolution was exclusively secured by the Daily Mail.
“You are receiving this email because your boss endorsed President Trump, and we would love to have your support as an original cosponsor before we send the resolution and the list of sponsors to the former President,” read an email sent by Gaetz’s team to offices of other Republican representatives.
“This resolution is a no-brainer – controversial only to the most extreme of the far-left – and a statement of fact that every single Republican can be expected to support,” it continued.
“If the left has the courage to interfere in our elections and weaponize the judicial system against our brethren, we must have the courage to express what is self-evident.” While the wording of the final resolution might be subject to change and its support is anticipated to increase, it’s unlikely that every Republican will endorse it.
“Yeah, we’re definitely not signing that,” a senior staffer for a GOP office that received the email disclosed to DailyMail.
It’s well-documented that Gaetz has been a vocal and staunch supporter of former President Trump. Gaetz has frequently defended Trump’s policies and actions, both while Trump was in office and after his presidency.
Gaetz’s loyalty to Trump has been evident through his public statements, social media, and appearances at Trump rallies. This alignment has positioned Gaetz as a prominent figure within the Trump-aligned wing of the Republican Party.
The Daily Mail writes:
The original co-sponsors of the legislation are largely from the right wing of the Republican conference, from Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ga., and Andy Biggs, Ariz., to Kelly Armstrong, who is now running for North Dakota governor, and Gary Palmer, Ala., the House Republican’s policy chair.
If the resolution goes to the floor, it could once again force Republicans to go on the record about whether or not they pledge fealty to former President Donald Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election – which he is under indictment for.
Republicans already went on record in the House in 2021 when 10 of them joined Democrats to vote to impeach Trump over his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Only Reps. David Valadao, Calif., and Dan Newhouse, Wash., survived the 2022 midterms after Trump prompted retaliatory primary challenges to the other eight Republicans who voted to impeach him.
The resolution is making the rounds fresh off Trump’s decisive primary victory over Nikki Haley in New Hampshire.
Gaetz, a staunch ally of former President Trump, was in the Granite State campaigning with the former president.