News

Rep. Matt Gaetz Sought A Blanket Pardon From Trump

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) allegedly sought a blanket pardon during President Donald Trump’s last days in office. Gaetz allegedly asked the then-president to issue a preemptive pardon for himself and GOP allies two sources told the New York Times. At the same time, the Justice Department under direction of William Barr began investigating Gaetz’s potential connection to sex trafficking and a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Gaetz did not tell Trump or White House legal council that he was under investigation by the Justice Department, so the White House viewed Gaetz’s appeal as a preemptive pardon. The two sources say White House counsel advised against the pardon, as it would set a dangerous precedent.

Trump released a statement Wednesday saying, “Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon. It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him.”

Gaetz reaffirmed his denial of the allegations in a recent op-ed to the Washington Examiner saying, “First, I have never, ever paid for sex. And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

A Gaetz spokesperson then denounced his request for a blanker pardon as a “conflated” story saying, “Entry-level political operatives have conflated a pardon call from Representative Gaetz — where he called for President Trump to pardon ‘everyone from himself, to his administration, to Joe Exotic’ — with these false and increasingly bizarre, partisan allegations against him. Those comments have been on the record for some time, and President Trump even retweeted the congressman, who tweeted them out himself.”

Brandon Mumei

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Zohran Mamdani & Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Share Hug Celebrating His Election Win

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DqVaz4a1Sjc After a monumental win in the New York City mayoral Democratic primary race, candidate…

10 hours ago

Second Whistleblower Comes Forward To Accuse Emil Bove, Trump Nominee For Federal Judgeship, Of Telling Staff To Lie To Courts

A second whistleblower has come forward to accuse Emil Bove, the deputy attorney general who…

10 hours ago

After Trump Signs Order Expanding Involuntary Treatment For People With Serious Mental Illnesses, Homeless Advocates Cry Foul

President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that will expand involuntary treatment for people…

18 hours ago

Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th Birthday Book Included Personal Messages From Trump, Clinton & Billionaire Leon Black

Infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein's newly surfaced 50th birthday book from 2003 reportedly contains messages from…

19 hours ago

With World Cup Coming To U.S., FIFA Opens Office In Trump Tower, Sparking Ethics Debate

With many of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup tournaments scheduled…

2 days ago