Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) called some of his colleagues “scumbags” on Sunday, as Republican infighting in the House reaches a new level.
Gonzalez appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and was asked if he thought he would survive efforts by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to remove him from the leadership post. Last year, a small group of Republican rebels voted alongside Democrats to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), after Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) threatened to do so. , the House of Representatives was effectively frozen for several weeks. So is Johnson.
Gonzalez had some. sharp words As for his colleagues, the most notable is Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Gonzalez claimed that Matt Gaetz sexually assaulted a minor “at a drug party,” adding, “It’s a great honor to be here in Congress, but I’ve worked with some real bad guys. “
The Justice Department launched an investigation into Gaetz in 2021 for allegedly paying cash in exchange for sex acts, including with underage girls.
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The department dropped charges against Gaetz in 2023 after prosecutors said two key witnesses had credibility issues. He remains under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Gates responded to Gonzalez’s comments Sunday. In the post of XHe lied and accused him of encouraging voters to support his Republican opponent. Gates has repeatedly denied the allegations.
The Texas lawmaker also criticized Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) for supporting his Republican opponent, gun rights activist Brandon Herrera. Gonzalez claimed that Herrera was a “known neo-Nazi” and mentioned the Ku Klux Klan.
It was not immediately clear what Gonzalez was referring to. Jewish insiders reported earlier this month that Herrera posted a video online featuring Nazi imagery. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment from Jewish Insider.
Herrera declined Gonzalez’s comment Sunday. Share on X Posts: “He has to shout about me to his liberal friends because the Republicans won’t listen anymore.”
The Texas Republican Party voted last year to censure Gonzalez over his positions on a variety of issues, including support for some gun safety laws after the Uvalde school shooting.
Gonzalez said Sunday that more centrist lawmakers are “tired” and “exhausted.”
“For some reason these people on the fringes think as if they’re on high. They’re not, I guarantee you,” he said, adding, “The way to take care of bullies is to give them a nosebleed.” “It’s about letting go,” he added.
