(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Matt Gaetz Wants to Make the GOP "Just Like Him" [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-06-23 Matt Gaetz, who has faced accusations of underage sex and sex trafficking, gave an interview to the WSJ — Matt Gaetz Hits the Road to Reshape the Republican Party — in which he said he wants to turn the GOP into something like him: Eight months after plunging the Republican Party into a deep crisis, Rep. Matt Gaetz says he doesn’t want to divide the GOP. He wants to make it to be just like him. “I’m trying to reshape the House in my image,” he said in an interview in his hometown after announcing his re-election campaign. Asked to describe what that looks like, Gaetz said it is a Republican who can “end the wars, shut the border, reduce the spending” and is a “fighter.” Gaetz first has to overcome a primary challenge from Aaron Dimmock, who apparently was urged to run by Gaetz’s nemesis, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Dimmock wasn’t available for an interview. He said in an email: “Matt Gaetz has become blinded by his ambition for higher office and his need for the spotlight, and is completely distracted by the never-ending ethics investigations into horrific allegations against him.” Last week, the House Ethics Committee said it is probing whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other allegations. Gaetz denies wrongdoing, blaming McCarthy for pushing the ethics panel to do the investigation. McCarthy, no longer in Congress, says he had nothing to do with it. Other than that passing reference, the WSJ didn’t take note of Gaetz’s sex problems. So allow me: Matt Gaetz's sexual-misconduct probe just got more serious The [House Ethics] committee has been investigating Gaetz since April 2021 but had deferred to the Justice Department as it conducted its own sex-trafficking investigation into the Florida congressman. The department ended that investigation last year without charging Gaetz, prompting the committee to restart its own inquiry in May 2023. Both investigations have centered on allegations that Gaetz violated sex-trafficking laws and had sex with a 17-year-old girl. The committee indicated on Tuesday that the scope of the inquiry had shifted. Specifically, the committee is investigating whether Gaetz: Engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Accepted improper gifts. Dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship. Sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. “I’m trying to reshape the House in my image,” said Gaetz to the Journal, which somehow missed the irony. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/23/2248212/-Matt-Gaetz-Wants-to-Make-the-GOP-Just-Like-Him?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/