Republican House members have calculatedly distanced themselves from embattled Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, careful not to allow themselves to be photographed with Gaetz as he’s under investigation for alleged child sex trafficking and other charges, CNN reports.
While Republican House leaders are careful to craft their words to remain neutral on Gaetz’s future in Congress and with the Party while the investigation plays out, members of the GOP House rank-and-file are staying away from him.
“He’s not a team player,” one senior House GOP member, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about a colleague, told CNN. “He’s not someone who contributes to the caucus. Most of us don’t really know him. If he did it and gets indicted, so what? A new Republican will replace him in that district and probably be a better member of Congress.”
Gaetz, never a wallflower, has taken an aggressive posture, pushing back on the allegations even as he’s unwittingly admitted aspects of the allegations. He pointedly denied the charges while speaking at an event for women who support Donald Trump.
While on the House floor, some Republicans have chatted with Gaetz, while most avoided him. Gaetz sat quietly alone during Wednesday House votes until other members, mainly staunch Trump supporters, joined him.
Republican House leadership has stated that they won’t punish Gaetz until the Department of Justice’s investigation is finished. “Right now, it’s hard to speculate on rumors, but if something really formal happens from Justice we would of course react and take action,” House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters Wednesday.