Dems seek to censure, investigate Maddock
Lawmakers say Rep. fomented conspiracies
House Democrats will soon be introducing resolutions that seek to censure and investigate Republican State Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford).
Two state representatives, Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) and Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Twp.), will formally introduce the resolutions on Jan. 19. One of the resolutions will seek to censure Maddock while the other will seek to form a House select committee to examine alleged misconduct and to ‘recommend appropriate discipline” citing several incidents that lawmakers say warrant censure.
The two lawmakers say Maddock should be censured by the Michigan House of Representatives for his “continued attempts at undermining democracy by fomenting election conspiracy theories and assisting with the heinous attack on the U.S. Capitol.” This includes joining a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn the election results in several battleground states, which was later dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and attending a pro-Trump rally in D.C. last week while “furthering misinformation of a fraudulent election” among other incidents cited by the Democratic lawmakers.
When contacted by The Oakland Press, Maddock could not be immediately reached for comment.
“It’s clear by his actions that Rep. Maddock does not believe in the very oath to uphold the Constitution that he took yesterday,” said House Democratic Leader Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp.). “That is why I have repeatedly called on House
Speaker Jason Wentworth to take action if Rep. Maddock and all 18 House Republican members refuse to publicly disavow their disgraceful actions.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is also calling for Maddock’s resignation or removal from office. Lynn Afendoulis, spokeswoman for Republican House Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth, said he “hasn’t seen any action on Rep. Maddock’s part that rises to the level of disciplinary action.”
Maddock’s wife, Meshawn, is set to become cochair of the Michigan Republican Party on Feb. 9 alongside new party chair Ron Weiser.
Both were in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 as insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol, forcing lawmakers who were in the process of certifying the Electoral College votes into hiding until police were able to secure the building and Capitol grounds. Congress continued their work later that night to certify the votes in each state.
Matt Maddock recently told The Detroit News that he and his wife were in D.C. Jan. 6, but did not attend
the “March for Trump” rally and subsequent riots. When he and his wife walked to The Ellipse rally ahead of the storming of the Capitol, the couple couldn’t get in and went back to their hotel, he said.
The day before, the couple spoke at and attended a rally joining thousands of other pro-Trump supporters in the nation’s capitol.
In December, Matt Maddock was one of 12 Michigan GOP state lawmakers that filed a legal brief in support of a lawsuit brought forth by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that challenged the election results in four battleground states, including
Michigan. The group of state lawmakers argued that the appointment of presidential electors in the four states listed in the suit are “constitutionally invalid” unless the legislature conducts post-election certification.
Days after the suit was filed, the U.S. Supreme Court said it would not consider the case for procedural reasons, because Texas lacked standing to bring it.
“Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections,” the court wrote in an unsigned ruling on Dec. 11.
The month before, Matt Maddock cosponsored a resolution aimed at impeaching Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The resolution was “directing the impeachment of Gretchen E. Whitmer, Governor of the state of Michigan, for corrupt conduct in office and crimes and misdemeanors.”
The filing of the resolution came three days after the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a three-week epidemic order that placed restrictions on social gatherings, bars and restaurants, and schools in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19.