Rep. Matt Gaetz is being widely mocked online after launching a panic-stricken tweet attacking the House Select Committee as a “political sideshow” following revelations that he sought a pardon from then-president Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 insurrection.
During the Jan 6 Panel’s fifth public hearing on Thursday, several former Trump White House aides testified that multiple House Republicans —Matt Gaetz (FL), Louie Gohmert (TX), Scott Perry (PA), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), and Mo Brooks (AL)— sought pardons in January of 2021 from Trump after they voted against certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory in the Electoral College.
In response, Gaetz took to Twitter to berate his colleagues and their investigation into the attack on the US Capitol.
“The January 6 Committee is an unconstitutional political sideshow,” Gaetz wrote. “It is rapidly losing the interest of the American people and now resorts to siccing federal law enforcement on political opponents.”
Naturally, mockery ensued.
The January 6 Committee is an unconstitutional political sideshow. It is rapidly losing the interest of the American people and now resorts to siccing federal law enforcement on political opponents.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) June 23, 2022
Lol ok nice attempt to deflect from your pardon request
— AZ Maiden Fan (@AZSyrinx) June 23, 2022
Pardon?
— John (@jjg226) June 23, 2022
It’s you… it’s you he was talking about… pic.twitter.com/WBOPUsFXvQ
— JFidLer (@jaefidler) June 23, 2022
PARDON me, Mr. Gaetz.
But you are wrong.
— Artie Vandelay (@ArtieVandelay1) June 23, 2022
— MJOHNSON (@SIRillMattness) June 23, 2022
Why ask for a pardon? What did you do? Why admit guilt?
— Dan Halen, Yes, THAT Dan Halen (@That_DanHalen) June 23, 2022
Guilty pic.twitter.com/wuUnfJj9O3
— RepubliCrat (@Sjacobs2020) June 23, 2022
Same Energy pic.twitter.com/9LPsUD3Xve
— Noble Prize in Sarcasm (@rewegreatyet) June 23, 2022
I beg your pardon.
— askingforafriend (@askingf13614063) June 23, 2022
20 million viewers with an additional follow on of 10 million.?????
Why did you want a blank pardon Matty? Feeling guilty???
— The Land of Ahhhhhs! (@Wgcr2014) June 23, 2022
Gaetz you are next get your self a good lawyer pic.twitter.com/jbDeilqqwF
— Tricia (@queentrucker) June 23, 2022
Well, well, well… https://t.co/k6hDBeCzNp
— Jess Balzer (@Balzer_Jess) June 23, 2022