Topline
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told supporters Thursday that they should “use” their Second Amendment rights and that the amendment’s provision of a right to bear arms is meant for “armed rebellion” rather than hunting—but on Friday he denied criticism that he was fomenting violence.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) speaks at an America First Rally also attended U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor ... [+]
Key Facts
At a rally with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) in Georgia, Gaetz urged the crowd to “use the Constitution,” to bolster their movement, citing the “First Amendment right to speak and assemble.”
Gaetz went on to say, “We have a Second Amendment in this country, and I think we have an obligation to use it,” adding that the amendment is “not about hunting, it’s not about recreation, it’s not about sports.”
Instead, Gaetz said, the Second Amendment, which grants the “right of the people to keep and bear Arms,” is about “the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary.”
In both the speech and a tweet the following morning repeating the line, Gaetz added, “I hope it never does,” also denying suggestions from critics he was calling for violence and noting he made similar remarks a week earlier.
Key Background
Gaetz’s comments come at a time of heightened partisan tensions in Congress and the country at large, and just months after a mob of Trump supporters, at least one of who had a firearm, stormed the Capitol in an effort to overturn the election. They also came ahead of a vote by Senate Republicans to block an independent commission to investigate the attack.
Tangent
Greene also made her trademark controversial statements at the event, continuing to compare her political opponents with Nazi Germany despite backlash from her party’s leaders. Greene said Democrats are “just like” the Nazis because “Nazis were the National Socialist Party. Just like the Democrats are now a national socialist party.”
Crucial Quote
"I'm for abolishing the deep state everywhere and one place where we can certainly look is the office of Dr. Fauci. Oh, I'm so sick of him,” Gaetz said at the rally.
Further Viewing
What To Watch For
Gaetz has signaled he plans to remain vocal despite a steady drip of reports about a federal probe into an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old, which he denies. The most recent revelation is a CNN report that Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend is cooperating with investigators.
