The political fallout for Matt Gaetz continues as Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) became the first Republican to call for his resignation after it was revealed that the Justice Department is investigating the Florida congressman over sex trafficking allegations.
“Matt Gaetz needs to resign,” Kinzinger wrote on Twitter Thursday night.
Kinzinger’s demand came after a court hearing indicated that Joel Greenberg, one of Gaetz’s closest friends, was likely cooperating with federal prosecutors after Greenberg was criminally charged with sex trafficking of a minor, as well as stalking, bribery and fraud.
“We believe this case is going to be a plea,” federal prosecutor Roger Handberg said at the beginning of the brief hearing in an ominous development for Gaetz. “My hope would be that it is done this month.”
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Kinzinger, an Air Force veteran and one of former President Donald Trump’s fiercest critics within the party, has previously targeted Gaetz, along with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), with the creation of a political action committee that aimed to help fund Republican candidates who have separated themselves from Trumpism.
During an interview in February, Kinzinger accused the pair of spouting false rhetoric for fame.
“All you have to do is see people like, of course, Marjorie Taylor Greene. You look at people like Matt Gaetz, who know better. I think neither of them believes the stuff they ascribe to, they just want fame,” Kinzinger said.
Matt Gaetz needs to resign. https://t.co/AygfqAxQJX via @thedailybeast
— Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) April 9, 2021
