Hello, Friends —
Under Joe Biden, one thing has become clear — the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has embraced leftist ideology. This includes requiring the use of gender identity pronouns and introducing highly inflammatory Marxist ideologies among the ranks. Our troops need combat training, not diversity and inclusion training. It’s complete nonsense, and it must come to an end.
Yesterday, during a Military Personnel Subcommittee hearing, I questioned Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. He also serves as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the DoD, a position to “further advance the Department’s goals of ensuring the workforce is representative and inclusive.” I asked Mr. Cisneros if he was aware of Kelisa Wing, the former DoD Education Activity Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, who was under investigation for the racist posts she tweeted while employed by DoD. From Mr. Cisneros’ answer, it seems DoD has no problem turning a blind eye to some individuals making racist comments, but when it comes to white service members posting about the Second Amendment or building the Wall, they become the target. I have a problem when the American taxpayer funds the salary of an anti-white “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” chief.
Moreover, I was shocked when the leader of the U.S. military’s Africa Command stated, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, that our government shares “core values” with military coup leaders. These same coup leaders were trained by our own Armed Forces! The United States has a history of training military forces in countries like Burkina Faso and Guinea, where the military leaders have then conducted military coups against their governments. We should not be facilitating coups in countries half-way around the world, especially with ones we obviously do not share “core values” with.
Finally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continues to prove it is a corrupt bureaucracy that violates the law. During a Judiciary subcommittee hearing, I voiced my concerns yet again about the ATF and advocated for its abolishment. It has been proven that the ATF collected records on law-abiding citizens who are simply exercising their Second Amendment rights. The agency has no business in collecting such data. The ATF is an unelected body and should leave the lawmaking to Congress.
REP. GAETZ OBLITERATES WOKE SENIOR DOD OFFICIAL
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It took senior Department of Defense (DoD) official Gilbert Cisneros six months to investigate one of his Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) administrators after she sent out a thread of racist tweets. On July 23, 2020, Kelisa Wing, a DEI educator for the DOD, tweeted: "I'm so exhausted at these white folx in these PD sessions. This lady actually had the CAUdacity to say that black people can be racist too."
Cisneros insisted during Thursday's House Armed Services Committee hearing that "PD" in Miss Wing's tweet did not, in fact, stand for professional development. Kelisa Wing was not fired but rather transferred within DoD after being under investigation for more than six months. It is ironic that while Wing's job is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, the American taxpayer is forced to pay her to spread hate and create division.
I also showed Cisneros a chart depicting recent military recruitment levels, which unsurprisingly are the lowest they've ever been. In a 2022 report, the DoD stated that "it is clear the broader recruiting market continues to deteriorate and recruiting shortfalls can no longer be solely attributed to COVID-19." When the Pentagon fails to fire those who promote woke ideology while spreading racist rhetoric, the ability to recruit service members who want to be a part of a diverse and inclusive military is destroyed.
REP. GAETZ GRILLS AFRICOM OFFICIAL ON U.S. MILITARY-TRAINED COUP LEADERS
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During Thursday's House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing on "U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in the Greater Middle East and Africa," I questioned General Michael Langley, Commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), over the percentage of African soldiers, trained by the U.S. military, that later led coups against their own civilian governments. In response to my line of questioning, General Michael Langley shockingly responded in the affirmative, claiming the United States "shares core values" with the same African military-coups leaders trained by the United States.
My constituents have risked their lives to serve our nation by being scattered throughout Africa on train-and-equip missions. When I asked General Langley if he knew the percentage of Africans we have trained who have participated in coups, he offered a baseless answer back by no real data set. To say it is concerning that an AFRICOM general doesn't know how many African soldiers we have trained who went on to lead coups would be an understatement.
Furthermore, when I offered General Langley a picture of Colonel Mamaday Doumbouya, he failed to recognize him. The image depicts Colonel Doumbouya posing happily alongside U.S. military service members outside the United States Embassy in Guinea. Months after the picture was taken, Doumbouya led the violent Guinean coup.
Why should U.S. taxpayers be paying to train people who then lead coups in Africa? General Langley excused out training of rogue Africans by claiming we are implementing our Democratic "norms." It is clear that Colonel Doumbouya and many other African leaders do not share the same goals as us. We must stop risking the lives of American service members and making a mockery of the American taxpayer by involving ourselves with unending proxy wars.
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ: ATF IS A CORRUPT BUREAUCRACY!
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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a corrupt bureaucracy that is violating the law, exceeding its authority, and collecting records they have no business collecting.
Yesterday, in a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, I had the chance to question Mr. Rob Wilcox, the Senior Director of Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. I questioned him about the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office’s report from June 2016 that claimed the ATF had exceeded its authority by compiling more than 252 million firearms records from law-abiding citizens. Mr. Wilcox was aware of the report, but to my surprise, it seemed it did not concern him that the government was gathering information on people, many of whom are Northwest Floridians, for simply exercising their Second Amendment rights. The ATF, comprised of unelected bureaucrats, has no business enforcing rules that violate the rights of Americans.
The utilization of arm braces also came up during the hearing. Democrats like to claim that arm braces make firearms more powerful. However, it has been clearly proven that arm braces do not make firearms more powerful. The new arm brace rule will unjustly turn millions of Americans into felons.
When the ATF goes above and beyond their authority to gather 252 million records, it can apparently be justified as them just doing their job. But when Americans inadvertently become felons because the ATF has exceeded its authority, there is no such grace for them. I intend to utilize the new rules secured in the House of Representatives to offer appropriations amendments to zero out the salaries of ATF bureaucrats abusing the liberties of our fellow Americans.
FIREBRAND EP. 93: REP. GAETZ IN WHITE HOUSE'S CROSSHAIRS!
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The White House continues their attempt to thwart my fight to put America First! We live in times where weaponized federal agencies are encouraged by the Establishment to persecute those who stand for what is right. Yesterday, a Biden White House spokesman issued a statement regarding my fellow Republican colleagues and me: "President Biden worked across the aisle to deliver the most significant gun violence reduction legislation in decades, but extreme MAGA House Republicans are proving they’re only interested in political stunts...The American people would be better served if MAGA House Republicans dropped these partisan stunts meant to attack the President and instead worked with the President...."
Contrary to the spin put out by the Biden White House, congressional Republicans' oversight of an abusive federal agency violating the constitutional rights of Americans is no "political stunt." I believe the majority of Americans realize the last thing we need to do is flood these weaponized entities with cash and resources. I refuse to support any agency or legislation that targets American gun owners and silences the voices of those who don't follow their agenda. The more the federal government is involved in our law enforcement, the more woke and weaponized it seems to become.
REP. GAETZ ON TRUMP TRIALS
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I joined "Morning in America" on NewsNation to blast the brazenly political Soros-backed witch hunt of President Trump. I believe President Trump will come out of this politically stronger, but this is a sad day for our country and one that America will pay for globally for some time.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, along with House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, has requested District Attorney Alvin Bragg testify in front of Congress and provide documents that led to President Trump’s indictment. A recent poll conducted by Reuters showed 54 percent of the country believes this is a political prosecution, and that is what Chairman Jordan and I will try to uncover when Bragg testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee.
AROUND THE DISTRICT
CONGRESSMAN GAETZ HOSTS ANNUAL ACADEMY NIGHT
I am pleased to announce I will be holding the 2023 Academy Night on Friday, April 21st! The Academy Night is an opportunity for high school students to speak directly to me and Service Academy representatives to learn more about the process for granting admission to the U.S. Service Academies and receiving a Congressional Nomination.
Academy Night will be hosted at Pace High School (4065 Norris Road, Pace, FL) from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
All high school students, JROTC groups, parents, principals, and educators are invited to attend this event to learn about entry to the U.S. Service Academies. I look forward to meeting all of you!
To RSVP: Visit GaetzAcademy2023.eventbrite.com
For questions, contact Austin Bury at [email protected] or call my District Office at 850.479.1183 with any questions you may have.
SENIOR INTERN PROGRAM
Congressman Gaetz understands that our senior citizens have valuable life experiences that can serve as a tremendous asset to any organization. As such, he is excited to announce his new Senior Congressional Internship Program!
Every 12 weeks, Congressman Gaetz office will select an approved senior intern to work in each of his local office (Crestview). In addition to learning about the role of a Congressional office, senior interns will be asked to assist permanent Congressional team members with a variety of tasks, including responding to constituent requests, writing letters, and assisting with day-to-day functions in the district office. Interns also assist staff with specific district-based projects, special events, and outreach activities.
Eligible applicants must be 55 or older, live within the district, and be willing to work at least eight (8) hours per week in the Congressional office for the duration of the twelve-week internship. Senior interns will receive a small stipend for their service.
Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected].
CASEWORK FEEDBACK FROM NORTHWEST FLORIDIANS!
As a Member of Congress, I am steadfastly committed to supporting my community and representing my constituents. My District Office will continue to deliver on our promise to assist with constituent casework! I take pride in seeing positive feedback from those who have been assisted by my office. See recent casework survey comments below:
JEC from Navarre – "Jacob and Nate were great. They helped me navigate the Passport process. I applied using the new online renewal process and I think it got lost somehow since my passport wasn't ready in time for my trip out of the country. Your office helped me get an appointment and I now have my new passport."
SKD from Crestview – "Larry provided me with the information and access I needed to correct my IRS problem. He listened to my situation and was empathetic to my current issues. Please thank him for his professionalism and patience, as I was not always clear with my needs."
PL from Cantonment – "They were very helpful and prompt and kept us informed of their steps. They supplied a form to fill out which we did, and our case was settled in record time, and we are very grateful. Thanks to all involved to get my wife’s missing Social Security payment paid."
EWN from Navarre – "We had an IRS Issue where we never received our refund check for 2021 taxes. For nearly a year we tried to contact the IRS on their website and on the phone and both were never working. We contacted Larry from Matt Gaetz's office and he resolved the issue expediently and professionally. We are very happy with his service and communication practices. He represents Congressman Gaetz very well."
If you cannot get an answer from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or get you the information you need. Please click here for a list of casework issues my office can assist you with.
IMPORTANT UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING PASSPORT INQUIRIES
I highly value inquiries and requests from my constituents and take pride in assisting our community. Due to an influx of passport applications, the State Department is experiencing a processing delay. Current expected processing times are listed below:
- Routine processing: 10 to 13 weeks.
- Expedited processing: 7 to 9 weeks.
I advise my constituents to apply for their passports and passport renewals early, especially as we approach the summer travel months. More information can be found at: travel.state.gov.
For more information, please contact my office at: 850.479.1183 or contact me through my website at: gaetz.house.gov/contact.
GAETZ IN THE NEWS
Bloomberg Government — March 23, 2023
House Weighs Parents’ Rights Bill Some in GOP See as Too Limited
"'I don’t want to strengthen the federal Department of Education. I want to abolish it,' Rep, Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said in a tweet announcing his opposition to the bill. 'I don’t want Congress more involved in decisions that are best made in local school districts.'"
The Free Press — March 23, 2023
Rep. Matt Gaetz Grills General On U.S. Training African Soldiers Who Lead Coups
"'Well that guy in the middle with the Big Red Hat, that’s him with a bunch of U.S. service members outside of our embassy, and just months after this photo was taken in 2021, he led a coup in Guinea and threw out the leader. Does that concern you?'"
Breitbart — March 23, 2023
Biden Defense Officials Defend Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in the Military
"Gaetz tore into the DOD for not firing her and slammed the double standard of Wing still being employed at $160,000 a year even after racist tweets while targeting white service members who post about the Second Amendment and being on a 'white supremacy snipe hunt.' 'If you just fired racist people then maybe you wouldn’t have to go through this,' Gaetz told Cisneros."
Fox News — March, 2023
Matt Gaetz: Dems will move on guns by declaring firearm violence a public health emergency
"'And our fellow Americans know the impact of folks up here in Washington declaring everything and anything a public health emergency,' Gaetz added. 'It means you’re more likely to be locked in your homes, deprived of your freedoms, less healthy, less safe, less secure and less able to live a truly American life.'"
WHAT WE'RE READING
Business Today — March 19, 2023
US attorney, who is likely to arrest Donald Trump, got funding from George Soros
Breitbart — March 23, 2023
TikTok CEO: ‘Spying’ Not Right Word for Surveillance of Americans on Behalf of Chinese Communists
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