During a CNN interview on Sunday, Representative Tony Gonzales criticized a few of his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives, referring to them as “scumbags” and likening them to individuals wearing “white hoods.” Gonzales’ criticisms were specifically targeted towards Representative Matt Gaetz.
Heightened Tensions Among House Republicans
Lately, House Republicans have been facing heightened tensions. Some of the GOP lawmakers have been threatening to try and oust Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, after the passage of several significant bipartisan bills.
The far-right section of the GOP has often clashed with more moderate members since Republicans regained control of the House during the 2022 midterms.
Gonzales Called Some of His Colleagues “Scumbags”
During a panel discussion of the CNN’s State of The Union, Gonzales said, “It’s an absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags.”
Gonzales added, “Look, Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties.”
Bash Reminded Viewers That Gaetz Has Not Been Prosecuted For The Allegations
CNN host Dana Bash was surprised by the accusation. She reminded viewers that Gaetz had not been prosecuted for the allegations made by Gonzales.
Bash responded to Gonzales saying, “Wow. Okay. I should say that the federal government did look into Matt Gaetz and those allegations and they decided not to prosecute.”
Gaetz’s Alleged Involvement In The Sex Trafficking Of A Teenage Girl
While reminding the viewers that Gaetz was not prosecuted for the allegations, Bash was referring to reported from last February when the Department of Justice took the decision to drop charges against Gaetz over his alleged involvement in a scheme that led to a 17-year-old teenage girl getting sex trafficked.
Gaetz was criticized by many Republicans after spearheading the effort to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from office in October. This triggering a party-wide upheaval as they grappled with appointing a new successor.
Mike Johnson Can Withstand Attempts To Remove Him
Gonzales stated that Speaker Mike Johnson has the ability to weather any attempts to remove him. Johnson was able to retain his position despite facing threats from three fellow Republicans who were unhappy with the vote to allocate over $60 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Gonzales said, “Look the House is a rough and rowdy place, but Mike Johnson is gonna be just fine.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Attempt To Remove Johnson From His Position
In March, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a motion to vacate the chair in an attempt to remove Johnson from his position as speaker.
However, Greene has not been able to move forward with her plan. Fellow Republican representatives Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona have expressed their support for her effort.
Gonzales Is Not Happy With Representative Bob Good
During the interview, Gonzales also expressed displeasure with his colleague Representative Bob Good of Virginia for endorsing his main opponent, Brandon Herrera.
Gonzales said, “Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi. These people used to walk around with white hoods at night, now they are walking around with white hoods in the daytime.”
Both Gonzales and Herrera Failed To Secure 50% In The March Primary
Gonzales’ primary opponent Herrera is a social media influencer and gun rights activist. Herrera and Gonzales are scheduled to face off in a May 28 runoff after neither candidate secured 50% in the March primary.
Earlier in the month, Jewish Insider reported that Herrera had posted videos containing “Nazi imagery, songs, and jokes.”
Herrera Called Gonzales’ Accusations A “Death Spiral”
With the ‘neo-Nazi’ accusation, Gonzales was referring to a 2022 YouTube video of Herrera and a colleague marching to a German song while reviewing a historic MP-40 submachine gun.
Herrrera responded to the accusations by posting on X, “This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen. He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans won’t listen anymore.”
Gaetz Accused Gonzales of “Laundering Lies On CNN”
Gaetz responded to Gonzales by accusing him of “laundering lies on CNN.”
Gaetz encouraged voters to support Gonzales’ primary opponent, Brandon Herrera.
Republican Lawmakers Unhappy With Foreign Aid Bills
Recently, some of the far-right lawmakers have been particularly frustrated with Johnson advancing a series of foreign aid bills totaling $95 billion to support Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Many of these Republicans lawmakers were especially opposed to the Ukraine aid.
Gonzales Wasn’t Surprised That Some Of His Colleagues Didn’t Want To Send Aid To Israel
Gonzales also expressed that he wasn’t surprised by the fact that some of the people he was referring to were not in favor of sending aid to Israel.
Gonzales said, “Look, it didn’t surprise me that some of these folks voted against aid to Israel, but I was encouraged to see by a nearly 10-to-1 mark that Republicans supported our allies on the battlefield.”
Bash Sought Further Clarification
Later on, Bash commented on Gonzales’ remarks.
Bash said, “I have heard you say a lot of things. What you just said, at the top of this discussion, was intense.”
Gonzales Said “Members Are Tired”
Bash questioned Gonzales, “Is it your sense that, I’m just asking from your own opinion and your own perspective, you’re trying to put them in a box—put them in a corner?”
Gonzales responded to Bash’s question saying, “Members are tired, we’re exhausted. It has been a brutal Congress, but we’re also dug in. For some reason, these fringe people think as if they have the high ground. They do not.”
