- The resolution, a copy of which was exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, has 27 co-sponsors and is being forwarded to Republican members of the House of Representatives
- It says Trump “engaged in no insurrection or rebellion against the United States, and afforded no aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
- “This resolution is a no-brainer – only controversial for the most extreme far-left parties,” reads an email urging support
Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz is urging his colleagues to sign a resolution insisting that Donald Trump did not participate in an insurrection during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
DailyMail.com has exclusively obtained a copy of the resolution, which already has 27 original co-sponsors. It is being passed to Republican offices of the House of Representatives to drum up support before South Carolina’s 2024 Republican primary.
It states that it is “the feeling of the House of Representatives” that former President Trump “has not waged an insurrection or rebellion against the United States, and has afforded no aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.”
“You are receiving this email because your boss has endorsed President Trump, and we would like to have your support as an original co-sponsor before we send the resolution and list of sponsors to the former president,” read an email from Gaetz’ staff at Republican offices.
Gaetz (R-FL) greets supporters at the campaign headquarters of Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump in New Hampshire ahead of the New Hampshire primary in Manchester, New Hampshire
Gaetz circulates a resolution insisting that Donald Trump did not participate in an insurrection during the January 6 Capitol riots
“This resolution is a no-brainer – controversial only to the far left – and a statement of fact that every Republican is expected to support,” the report continued.
“If the left has the courage to interfere in our elections and weaponize the justice system against our brothers, we must have the courage to express what is taken for granted.”
The language of the final resolution could change and support is expected to increase, but not all Republicans will join it.
“Yeah, we’re definitely not signing that,” a senior GOP office official who received the email told DailyMail.com.
The legislation’s original co-sponsors come largely from the right wing of the Republican conference, from Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia, and Andy Biggs, Arizona, to Kelly Armstrong, who is now running for governor of North Dakota, and Gary Palmer, Ala., Republican House policy chairman.
If the resolution comes to the table, it could once again force Republicans to make public whether or not they pledge allegiance to former President Donald Trump and his efforts to overturn the 2020 election — for which he is being sued.
Republicans already rose to prominence in the House of Representatives in 2021 when ten of them joined Democrats in voting to impeach Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Only Reps. David Valadao, California, and Dan Newhouse, Washington, survived the 2022 midterm elections after Trump provoked primary retaliation against the other eight Republicans who voted to impeach him.
The resolution is making the rounds after Trump’s decisive primary victory over Nikki Haley in New Hampshire.
Gaetz, a close ally of former President Trump, campaigned with the former president in the Granite State.
Meanwhile, Trump has been kicked off the ballot in Colorado and Maine for his role in the events that resulted in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The Supreme Court will soon consider the legal dispute to decide whether Trump can be kicked off the ballot held.
Gaetz, one of the conference’s most bombastic members, has not been afraid to stir up controversy. He launched the motion to fire ousted chairman Kevin McCarthy last October.
Gaetz indicated last year that he had an interest in running for governor of Florida in 2026, when Gov. Ron DeSantis’ term ends.
He is currently under investigation by the Ethics Committee. The committee recently contacted new witnesses as they investigate possible lobbying violations.
In addition, the committee is also interviewing “witnesses interviewed as part of the Justice Department’s sex trafficking investigation into the Florida congressman,” according to a recent ABC News report.