Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) led over 60 House Republican cosponsors to support a resolution stating that former President Donald Trump (R) “did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.”
In a press conference announcing the bill, Rep. Gaetz stated that state governments such as Colorado should not be able to “interfere with the rights of voters” by unilaterally using Jan. 6 as a rationale to keep President Trump off the ballot.
“We are here today to authoritatively express that President Trump did not commit an insurrection. And we believe Congress has a unique role in making that declaration,” said Rep. Gaetz. “It’s not the job of the states and especially not the job of some bureaucrats in Colorado to make this assessment and interfere with the rights of voters to cast their vote for the candidate of their choice.”
“And now it’s time for members of the House and Senate to show where they stand on this question. We and the former President welcome and expect many more cosponsors in the coming days and look forward to a floor vote,” Gaetz said.
“We have evidence that the government was covering up what was happening,” said Rep. Luna, questioning why Hillary Clinton or Stacy Abrams haven’t been charged with “insurrection.”
Representative Bill Posey (R-FL) attempted to demonstrate that those who claim Trump is a threat to democracy simultaneously are responsible for the Steele Dossier and Obamacare.
“The same people trying to keep Donald Trump off the ballot are the same people who supported the fake dossier, the biggest fraud in political history, probably. The same ones who claimed Obamacare would let you keep your own doctor, keep your own insurance company and is going to cost you less. Same people,” said Rep. Posey. “The same people that claim the border is secure, now they claim Donald Trump is a danger to democracy and should not be on the ballot.”
Representative Brian Babin (R-TX) spoke on the idea that the “war” on Trump is attributed to “pure hatred.”
“Here’s the reality: If you still refuse to believe that the endless war on Donald J. Trump is fueled by anything other than pure hatred and personal vendettas, we’re not ever going to change your mind. The facts obviously don’t really matter to you,” said Rep. Babin. “But the American people and those standing with me here today can see the truth. The radical left is attempting to destroy our electoral process. We cannot let them succeed for the benefit of our great Republic.”
Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) described the cases against Trump as “plain and simple” election interference.
“These cases against President Trump are plain and simple election interference. It’s an act of fear, they’re afraid of President Trump and they should be, because they understand that President Trump, once he's back in the White House will undo all of the damage that the left has caused the American people the last for years,” said Rep. Boebert. “He will bring back his beautiful policies that make our country the greatest country to live in.”
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) lambasted the media for their continual reference to Trump and his supporters as “insurrectionists.”
“Not one single person has been convicted with insurrection. Not one. In every single court of our land, no one’s been charged and convicted with insurrection. Yet Democrats and dishonest people in the media every single day accuse President Trump of waging an insurrection and accuse many of us of waging an insurrection and you’re doing nothing but lying and selling the lies of the Democrats all for campaigns and elections,” said Rep. Taylor Greene. “Shame on every single person that has done that. Shame on you.”
Representative Ronny Jackson (R-TX) discussed what he believes to be the “weaponization of government” that has taken place to stop Trump from running again.
“Unfortunately, it’s been a sad few years in the Biden administration. And we’ve seen lots of things happen. We’ve seen our southern border – an absolute disaster, the security of our border and everything that it’s brought with it, the crime and the drugs. We’ve seen our reputation overseas completely devastated,” said Rep. Jackson. “We’ve seen our economy take a huge hit because of some of the Biden policies that have been put in place. But I think the biggest danger is the weaponization of government that’s taken place in an effort to prevent President Trump from ever being President again.”
Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) stated that some of the journalists in the press conference “don’t have the balls” to write the truth.
“And for all of you journalists out there that are pretty cowardly, some in this room right now, you don’t have the balls to write the truth, and even if you did, your publishers wouldn’t publish it because you are part of a propaganda outlet,” said Rep. Crane.
Finally, Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) called the event of Jan. 6 a “riot” but not an insurrection.
“How about when Director Wray came and testified for Judiciary? He said that there were three groups at the Capitol that day: largely, and by far the majority were peaceful. The second group were people that, for whatever reason, they entered the Capitol but they were peaceful, but they committed a trespass. And then you had a small group that was violent. We call that a riot. Well, that’s not how it happened. The Democrats, they insisted that it was an insurrection.”
Rep. Gaetz is leading the measure alongside House Republican Conference Chair, Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
