Hello, Friends —

The Biden-Harris administration has a proven history of colluding with Big Tech to censor information from the American people. Recently, Facebook and Google acknowledged censoring both the “raised fist” photograph of President Trump and the public’s ability to search for information about the assassination attempt on President Trump. This raises questions of whether this administration is again pressuring Big Tech to censor speech.  

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has facilitated previous censorship and has been the subject of multiple committee hearings and subpoenas in the House of Representatives that have conclusively proven their interference in the 2020 presidential election. Therefore, on Wednesday, I sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers on whether his department assisted with the social media “erasure” or discussion of search results for the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.

I refuse to sit on the sidelines as the White House and Big Tech weaponize their influence against President Trump and millions of patriotic Americans! This is why I will continue to fight to expose any continued censorship scheme being carried out by the Biden-Harris administration.

To read my press release, click here. 

REP. GAETZ EXPOSES WOKE AIR FORCE GUIDEBOOK URGING AIRMEN TO STOP USING ‘MICROAGGRESSIONS’

On Monday, I exposed a 27-page guidebook from the Air Force that shows the extent to which woke ideology has infiltrated the military! The memo, produced by the 552nd Air Control Wing in Oklahoma, focuses on so-called “microaggressions” and approvingly cites a book by Angela Davis, a communist agitator. 

Under the Biden-Harris administration, the Air Force tells people the phrase “that’s savage” is a microaggression. Additionally, the Air Force guidebook states that calling someone a member of “the opposite sex” is “transphobic” and “falsely conflates sex and gender identity,” while also saying “toughen up” implies “someone isn’t good enough.” It further states that Airmen shouldn’t hang posters that call for standing for the flag because “patriotic values” are an “expression in opposition to a specific form of anti-racist protest.” I will be calling on the Air Force to make clear if they agree with this radical document. 

To read my press release, click here. Additionally, to read my analysis of the guidebook, click here. 

CONGRESS NEEDS MORE COURAGE TO FIGHT!

Click Here to Watch!

On Wednesday, I joined Steve Bannon’s "War Room" with guest host Rep. Chip Roy to discuss the Air Force’s guidebook on “microaggressions” and how Congress needs to find more courage to fight!

Despite the necessity for House Republicans to fight on issues such as budgets, the censorship industrial complex, and the border, House leadership decided to leave for August recess early last week. There are only three voting weeks left between now and the November election. This is the rhythm of Washington that continues to hurt the American people.

REP. GAETZ CONDEMNS NICOLÁS MADURO’S ‘ILLEGITIMATE’ RULE IN VENEZUELA

Nicolás Maduro lost the election in Venezuela badly, then simply declared victory anyway. He is an illegitimate dictator. I stand with the people of Venezuela and their diaspora throughout the world in calling for an end to Maduro's murderous regime. It is a sad truth that a nation can vote its way into socialism, but almost always has to fight its way out.

To read my statement, click here. 

U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO U.S. CITIZENS LOCATED IN ISRAEL

On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department issued an official travel advisory for all U.S. citizens located in the State of Israel. If you are currently in Israel, DO NOT travel to the Gaza region due to ongoing terrorism and armed conflicts. Additionally, avoid all travel to Northern Israel, within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders, due to the rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. 

The U.S. State Department also suggests reconsidering any travel to the West Bank due to threats of terrorism and civil unrest. If you are seeking assistance or are in need of help in any form, do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (850) 479-1183.

AROUND THE DISTRICT

REP. GAETZ RETURNS OVER $19 MILLION TO NORTHWEST FLORIDIANS

With rising temperatures come rising returns! 

As of August, my office has returned more than $19.4 MILLION to Northwest Floridians in 2024 alone! We have additionally resolved thousands of cases with issues involving federal agencies, such as the IRS, VA, USCIS, passports, and SBA. 

I look forward to continuing this work and doing whatever I can to assist the great people of Northwest Florida.

REP. GAETZ ATTENDS CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY AT THE CENTER FOR INFORMATION WARFARE TRAINING IN PENSACOLA

Last Friday, I was honored to attend the Change of Command ceremony for the Center for Information Warfare Training in Pensacola between the outgoing commander, Captain Christopher Bryant, and the incoming commander, Captain Sarah Sherwood. The intricate and impressive rites of this time-honored tradition were executed flawlessly by the sailors.

I want to thank Rear Admiral Jeff Czerewko, the commander of the Naval Education Training Command, for his gracious remarks and acknowledgment of the support we have provided to his organization, which is a key player in our efforts to achieve information dominance in any future conflicts. I will continue to fight hard to sustain and improve our nation’s capabilities in this increasingly important arena.

REP. GAETZ ATTENDS 2024 PENSACOLA MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA SCHOLARSHIP BANQUET

I was proud to attend yesterday's 30th anniversary of the Pensacola Military Officers Association of America (PMOAA) Scholarship Banquet. This program is dedicated to LT Omar Selland, USN (Dec.), whose vision and driving force led to its development in 1994.

The PMOAA has a long history of awarding scholarships to eligible beneficiaries. This year, five brilliant young students were awarded for their tremendous accomplishments. Congratulations to Ryan Chandler, Cathryn Clay, Jillian Conroy, Abigail McCracken, and Emma Ostrom! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

REP. GAETZ CONGRATULATES NORTHWEST FLORIDA PARTICIPANTS IN THE GULF COAST VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES

I want to congratulate some of Northwest Florida’s heroes who recently participated in the Gulf Coast Veterans Wheelchair Games in New Orleans. Congratulations to constituents Johnson-Lewis, Ben Menefee, and Dustin Tuller, who won gold in 9-Ball, silver in bass fishing, and silver in softball. I am very proud of all your accomplishments, and I thank you all for your service and commitment to staying engaged!

FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ISSUES STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR NORTHWEST FLORIDA

Last night, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for all counties in Northwest Florida due to anticipated heavy rain of up to 12 inches over the next seven days. All residents of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties should remain in a safe location and adequately prepare over the next week.

Additionally, I encourage all Northwest Floridians to prepare for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which started on June 1st and continues through November. After assessing damage done from hurricanes in the past few years,  I know how crucial it is to have at least seven days of supplies on hand. These supplies include food, water, medicine, batteries, etc.

Here are some additional tips to safely prepare for potential emergencies and keep you and your loved ones safe:

Prepare a kit. Ensure you and your family have a disaster kit ready to go in case of an emergency. For more information on items to include in a kit, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

Get to know your surroundings. Know the elevation of your house and property. Hurricanes often bring storm surge, which is considered the greatest threat to property and life during any tropical storm. Know your communities’ evacuation routes and how you would evacuate to higher ground. For more information on potential storm surge areas visit https://www.nhc.noaa.govv/surge/.

Consistently check the weather. The Coast Guard’s mobile app for boating safety is a tool to check marine weather from your phone. With the mobile app, you can check the weather at nearby NOAA buoys, which provide wind speed and direction along with wave height. Checking weather any time you plan to get underway and throughout your time on the water is highly recommended.

Secure your boats. Review your hurricane plan with your local marina to ensure you have a plan to both bring your boat in and strap it down ashore or otherwise ensure it is properly equipped to ride out the storm at the marina.

Listen to local officials. When it comes to hurricane response and preparedness, the most important link in the chain is you: prepare your boat for the season, have a hurricane mooring plan, and monitor channel 16 on your VHF radio when on the water. Prior to planning a trip, keep an eye on the weather, port conditions, and other hurricane warnings.

For further questions, please consult the Emergency Management websites for the county you reside in: 

- Escambia County
- Santa Rosa County
- Okaloosa County
- Walton County

UPCOMING SERVICE ACADEMY NOMINATIONS

One of the most important duties I have as your Congressman is to nominate students to various United States service academies. These include the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

The students nominated represent the very best of our district and the entire country. This year, I will nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district. To request a military academy nomination from our office, please click  here and complete the form. Submissions are due by Friday, October 11th, 2024 at 3pm CT. 

I wish you the best as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. service academies and serving our country. Please direct any further questions about the application process to my Director of Military Affairs, Austin Bury at [email protected].

For more information and frequently asked questions about academy nominations, click here.

BACK TO SCHOOL SALES TAX HOLIDAY

I encourage all Floridians to use Florida’s sales tax holiday for new school supplies. The exemption began on July 29th and will extend through Sunday, August 11th. The exemption applies to select electronic devices, device accessories, clothing, backpacks, learning aides, and more. 

Please note that there are price ceilings on each tax-exempt item. To learn more about which items and prices are eligible for the exemption, click here.

To see frequently asked questions, click here.

GAETZ IN THE NEWS

Fox News — July 29, 2024

Gaetz rips Air Force over ‘microaggressions’ document warning airmen not to tell someone to ‘toughen up’

“GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz is slamming the United States Air Force over an internal memo his office obtained, calling it a “radical document” that warns airmen about using ‘micro aggressions.’ In a 27-page guidebook that originated with the 552nd Air Control Wing in Oklahoma, the Air Force warns airmen not to use ‘micro aggressions’ that could be deemed offensive to others, including using the term ‘spirit animal’ which it says is ‘a statement of cultural appropriation and erasure of Indigenous/Native culture.’”

Tampa Free Press — July 29, 2024 

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz Blasts Nicolás Maduro’s Declaration Of Victory In Venezuela

“U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz (FL-01) issued a statement Monday condemning Nicolás Maduro’s declaration of victory in Venezuela, saying, ‘Despite losing the election badly, Maduro declared himself the winner. He is an illegitimate dictator. We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and their diaspora worldwide in calling for an end to his oppressive regime.’”

Daily Caller — July 31, 2024 Daily Caller 

EXCLUSIVE: Gaetz Demands DHS Hand Over Docs On Big Tech Ties, Alleged Censorship Of Trump Assassination Attempt Info

“Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz demanded Wednesday that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas provide any key documents that could shed light on his agency’s ties to Big Tech and alleged efforts to censor online information surrounding the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.”  

WHAT WE’RE READING

New York Post — July 30, 2024

Reuters — July 31, 2024

Hezbollah confirms top commander killed in Israeli strike on Beirut suburb