Gaetz sex investigation threatens a speedy D.C. rise
WASHINGTON — Compared with most congressional newbies, it didn’t take Rep. Matt Gaetz long. Phone calls from the president. Rides aboard Air Force One. Hundreds of television appearances. A darling in conservative circles.
Yet barely four years after arriving in Washington as a little-known Republican state legislator from Florida’s Panhandle, the 38-year-old unblushing defender of Donald Trump is facing a possible abrupt end to his once promising career because of a federal sex-trafficking investigation.
The overwhelming reaction of Gaetz’s GOP colleagues — a deafening silence. That reflects the resentments he’s sparked during his breakneck rise as one of the party’s celebrities and the challenge he faces to retain his seat.
Government agents are investigating if Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old and other underage girls and violated federal sex trafficking laws, people familiar with the probe have told the AP. No charges have been filed, and Gaetz has denied the allegations.
But with new, damaging details emerging regularly, Gaetz’s political arc is beginning to resemble the myth of Icarus, who plunged to earth after ignoring warnings that his waxen wings would melt if he flew too close to the sun.
The coming days will test the crisis management skills of one of the most visible members of Congress’ younger generation, who critics say care more about promoting their own brand than serious legislating.
“They’re here for notoriety and to perform to their base, and anything else that may come is secondary,” said Doug Heye, a Trump critic and former top GOP congressional aide. “And if you boo him that’s great too, as long as you’re watching.”
David Bossie, president of Citizens United, which backs conservative causes and candidates, countered that Gaetz “has been a conservative warrior, working every day to make America great again and fight for President Trump’s agenda.”
Gaetz’s congressional Twitter account is topped with a photo of himself taking a selfie with Trump, apparently on Air Force One. On his personal Twitter account, Gaetz describes himself as “Florida man. Fiance. Firebrand. America First.“He became engaged at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in December.
Gaetz is quick with a quote and looks little older than a college student. And by his own account, he’s hardly led a prudish lifestyle while battling for conservative causes.
In his 2020 autobiographical book, “Firebrand,” Gaetz praised Trump as someone “who doesn’t care for puritanical grandstanding or moralistic preening.“He added, “If politicians’ family lives aren’t what really matter to the voters, maybe that’s a good thing. I’m a representative, not a monk.”
Chris Latvala, a former GOP colleague in the Florida legislature, suggests that while there, Gaetz went too far. On Friday, Latvala revived a 2020 tweet in which he accused Gaetz of creating a “game where members of the FL House got ‘points’ for sleeping with aides, interns, lobbyists, and married legislators.”