Conscience-free Matt Gaetz: Ambitiously joined conspiracy to overturn 2020 election, blamed feds for Capitol insurrection & gleefully campaigned for Arizona election deniers
Texts to Meadows as early as three days after Election Day 2020 show lawmakers rallying around the idea of alternate electors. As early as the first or second week of December, the White House’s own counsel was pushing back against the idea. That message was relayed to at least Perry, Jordan, and Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), according to Hutchinson.
By Dec. 21, a larger group was meeting at the White House with Trump campaign attorney Rudy Giuliani, where the focus had shifted to the ways former Vice President Mike Pence could buck his ceremonial duty to certify the election results. That group attending that meeting included Jordan, Brooks, Biggs, Gaetz, Greene, Gohmert, Perry, and Reps. Jody Hice (R-Ga.), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), Hutchinson said.
Gaetz, a close associate of the Freedom Caucus, but not an official member, has been one of the former president’s most vocal supporters and has spread conspiracy theories about the “feds” being behind the Capitol riot.
According to testimony, Gaetz was one of several members of Congress who requested broad pardons from Trump.