Embattled Rep. Matt Gaetz Reportedly Sought Preemptive Pardon from Trump
Sally Kent
A source has revealed that Florida Representative Matt Gaetz once sought a preemptive pardon from the Trump administration at the end of Trump’s term.
The news comes as Gaetz is currently under investigation by the Justice Department for sexual misconduct and alleged sex trafficking.
Fox News reports:
Gaetz, 38, who was an ardent supporter of the former president, sought “blanket preemptive pardons” for himself and unnamed congressional allies for crimes potentially committed, The New York Times first reported. The request, however, was said to be viewed by White House officials at the time as likely to set a bad precedent.
A source familiar with the situation told Fox News on Wednesday that Gaetz’s request was met with “lots of eye rolling” and “wasn’t even considered” by the White House.
The Times noted that it was unclear whether Gaetz knew, when he made the pardon request, that the Department of Justice had been building a case against a Florida tax collector – who has been charged with sex-trafficking a minor – connected to him. Gaetz has been alleged to have met women through the tax collector, who was said to be a political ally.
Gaetz has so far vehemently denied the allegations, saying that they have been brought forward in an effort to extort him and his family.
The investigation into Representative Gaetz began during the Trump administration.
No charges have been filed against Rep. Gaetz yet.
Former President Trump just released a statement that Rep. Gaetz did not ask him for a pardon. However, this doesn’t rule out that the Florida Republican could have approached separate Trump officials in regards to a possible pardon.
At the end of his term, Trump issued a number of pardons and commutations including former adviser Steve Bannon.
https://trumptrainnews.com/2021/04/07/embattled-rep-matt-gaetz-reportedly-sought-preemptive-pardon-from-trump/