Hello, Friends —
On Tuesday, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, I questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s decision to send our service members to Gaza. He revealed to me that there is a high likelihood our U.S. service members will be shot at by Hamas and will have to return fire to protect themselves. I find it concerning that we are sending our service men and women to build a floating pier, expected to cost the United States more than $320 million, off the coast of Gaza while being subjected to live fire.
When I asked Secretary Austin about the potential for our service members returning fire into Gaza, he denied that this would constitute “boots on the ground.” The Pentagon seems to think boots on a pier connected to the ground doesn’t count as boots on the ground. Likely, this is because “boots on the ground” would mean that, consistent with Article I of the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973, Congress would need to vote on committing our Armed Forces to the hostilities in the region.
Furthermore, I pressed Secretary Austin on the reliability issues with Lockheed Martin’s F35 planes. The aircraft that is supposed to be the best in the military’s inventory is riddled with so many problems that barely 29 percent are mission-ready. The aircraft’s ability to perform has trended downward over the last five years, while the cost has only gone up.
To watch my questioning of Secretary Austin, click here. Additionally, to read my press release, click here.
REP. GAETZ VOTES AGAINST POORLY DRAFTED BILL PROHIBITING SPEECH
When H.R. 6090, the “Antisemitism Awareness Act,” was rushed to the House floor this week, I voted against this poorly drafted bill, which would allow the federal government to police speech and thought. Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words.
The terms outlined in this bill would not only hinder your First Amendment right to freedom of speech, but the Gospel itself would meet the definition of “antisemitism.” The bill says the definition of “antisemitism” includes “contemporary examples of antisemitism” identified by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. One of those examples includes “…claims of Jews killing Jesus…” The Bible makes this exact statement in Acts 4:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, Acts 3:14-15, and Acts 3:14-15. Therefore, while I condemn antisemitism in any form, hastily approving a poorly drafted bill that codifies parts of the Bible as prohibited hate speech threatens the speech of Christians in direct violation of the First Amendment.
To read my statement, click here.
REP. GAETZ TORCHES BIDEN ADMIN OFFICIALS FOR CENSORING THE TRUTH
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During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, I grilled several senior Biden Administration officials over their collusion with big tech companies and censorship of vaccine information throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apparently, these officials all think that mass censoring of Americans is okay! In this country, the truth should always reign supreme, and I will always fight to protect the First Amendment.
REP. GAETZ CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO CIA FOR ILLEGALLY SPYING ON TRUMP
On Wednesday, I wrote a letter to Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government Chairman Jim Jordan calling for an investigation into the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency following the leak of video showing an intelligence operative admitting to illegally spying on President Trump during his time in office.
The video, released by James O’Keefe of the O’Keefe Media Group, shows an encounter between an undercover journalist and a CIA contractor who directly admits to having used the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to spy on President Trump. As a member of this subcommittee, I believe we must use our jurisdiction to investigate this flagrant disregard for the law.
To read my statement, click here.
TRUMP PROSECUTOR PLEADS FIFTH WHEN ASKED IF HE BROKE THE LAW INVESTIGATING TRUMP
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This week, I was finally given the opportunity to release my deposition of Mark Pomerantz, a prosecutor who was part of Alvin Bragg’s sham prosecution of President Trump. Pomerantz repeatedly refused to answer any of the important questions about whether or not he broke the law while on a witch hunt against President Trump and instead plead the fifth! If he never broke the law, then why can’t he simply say so!
This was the lawyer who was dispatched to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to “get” President Trump. All of this should result in the immediate dismissal of the entire case against President Trump in Manhattan!
To watch me on Rumble’s “Kimberly Guilfoyle Show” talking about Mark Pomerantz, click here.
REP. GAETZ HONORS DR. DEVIN STEPHENSON ON HOUSE FLOOR
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I spoke on the House floor on Tuesday to recognize Dr. Devin Stephenson, a great Florida man who has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of citizens in Northwest Florida.
During his tenure as President of Northwest Florida State College, Dr. Stephenson led the school to national prominence and solidified its place as a leader in our region. We are grateful for Dr. Stephenson’s contributions to Northwest Florida, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors as President of Florida Polytechnic University.
ALVIN BRAGG’S TRIAL OF PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TOTAL FICTION
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I joined “Stinchfield Tonight” on the Real America’s Voice channel last Friday to discuss Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s ongoing show trial against President Trump. From a pure fact and law standpoint, Bragg’s prosecution is a total fiction.
You don’t go draft private lawyers to go after politicians you don’t like. That is the type of thing you’d see in a third-world country and, now, unfortunately, Manhattan.
REP. GAETZ OWNS HOUSE DEMOCRAT FOR CALLING CRIME HEARING A ‘CIRCUS’
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Today, I participated in a Judiciary Committee field hearing in Pennsylvania on the “Victims of Violent Crime in Philadelphia” to examine how Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s pro-criminal policies embolden criminals at the expense of victims and Philadelphia residents.
During the hearing, Democrats, like Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, compared the House Judiciary GOP’s violent crime hearing to the “traveling circus” coming to Philadelphia. The families of violent crime victims told the Democrats “WE ARE NOT CIRCUS ANIMALS!”
I stand with these brave family members. These hearings are not a circus. They are a very serious endeavor that are life or death.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
2024 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION WINNERS!
I am pleased to share that the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Florida’s First District at the Artel Gallery in Pensacola was an enormous success last weekend! As your Congressman, it’s my honor to host this annual event, which showcases the incredible artistic talent of young Northwest Floridians.
This year’s competition was especially memorable, with a record-breaking 193 submissions from students across the district. The quality and creativity of the artwork was truly impressive, and it was a joy to see so many young people expressing themselves through various mediums.
Congratulations to the three students who placed in this year’s competition!
1st Place – “Essence” by Noah Villarreal of Navarre High School
2nd Place – “Sick!” by Eliana Batarao of Fort Walton Beach High School
3rd Place – “Burnout” by Gianna Tagliere of Pace High School
I am excited to have Noah’s artwork on display in the United States Capitol for the next year, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to showcase the talent of all those who made submissions.
1st Place Winner: “Essence” by Noah Villarreal of Navarre High School
DISTRICT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
I’m excited to announce that my district office in Crestview is looking for summer interns! Every 12 weeks, my office in Crestview selects new students to intern in my office.
The program isn’t just about learning the inner workings of a congressional office; it’s an active participation role. As an intern, you’ll be working alongside my team, helping with a range of tasks, such as handling constituent requests, drafting correspondence, and supporting the everyday operations in our district office. You’ll also play a crucial role in district-specific projects, special events, and community-outreach initiatives.
To be eligible, applicants must be a high school graduate or currently enrolled in a college program, reside within our district, and be prepared to dedicate up to 20 hours a week to the internship, from May through September. Interns will receive a small stipend for their service.
To apply for an internship, click here.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
WEAR Pensacola — April 27, 2024
Congressman Matt Gaetz secures $20M for Blue Angels’ hangar repairs at NAS Pensacola
“Congressman Matt Gaetz has been very vocal about his efforts to make sure military installations in Northwest Florida have what they need to succeed. On Friday, Gaetz’s office says he has helped secure $20 million to begin the repair process to the Blue Angels’ hangar at NAS Pensacola.”
Tampa Free Press — April 28, 2024
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Says Biden Continues To Stumble From “Blunder” After DoD Announces Troop Exit From Chad
“Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz slams President Joe Biden for foreign policy ‘blunder after blunder’ after the Defense Department (DoD) announced U.S. troops will also be leaving a second African country.”
The Hill — April 30, 2024
Defense secretary: ‘Possible’ US troops setting up pier off Gaza get shot at
“But asked by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) about the likelihood that someone from land might shoot at U.S. service members on the pier, Austin replied, ‘That’s possible, yes.’”
WEAR Pensacola — May 1, 2024
Florida seeks to shut down humanitarian parole program amid surge of migrants
“Representative Matt Gaetz in a statement wrote in part: ‘It’s no surprise that Joe Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’s open-boarder policies particularly harm Floridians. I am extremely worried about the potential influx of illegals overtime in Northwest Florida at the hands of the Biden administration.’”
The Post Millennial — May 2, 2024
Matt Gaetz calls for investigation after OMG report reveals deep state agencies may have kept intelligence from Trump during presidency
“On Wednesday, Rep. Matt Gaetz announced that he was calling on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government to launch an investigation into allegations that federal agencies withheld information from former President Donald Trump during his time in office.”
WHAT WE’RE READING
The Intercept — April 29, 2024
Biden Says He Told Nigeria To Kill Fewer Civilians — But Nigeria Keeps Killing Lots Of Civilians
WEAR Pensacola — May 2, 2024
Iranian college to offer scholarships to expelled US student protesters, report says
Breitbart News — May 3, 2024
Pentagon Confirms Americans Sharing Air Base with Russian Troops in Niger
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