Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. caused a stir on Twitter after Wednesday’s House Judiciary Committee meeting, with liberal users mocking him for a proposed amendment to the committee’s rules that would have required members to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before each meeting. .
“I just introduced an amendment in the House Judiciary Committee to require the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited before every meeting. That’s common sense. Why does patriotism heat up Democrats so much?” Getz asked his Twitter followers on Wednesday.
Political strategist Rachel Bitkofer criticized Gaetz on the thread, citing Rhode Island Democratic Rep. David Cislin’s reaction to his proposal: “‘You want somebody… on the House Judiciary Committee. Stand up and at least lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Let’s guarantee that this person did not participate in, support or in any way assist in overthrowing the government.
“Made him the little guy that he is,” he later added in his thread, responding to another user who praised Sicilian for highlighting Gaetz’s alleged “hypocrisy.”
The House of Judiciary session derailed amid debate over the rule for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks during a business meeting before a hearing on U.S. southern border security on Capitol Hill on February 01, 2023 in Washington, DC.
(Drew Engerer/Getty Images)
“How about reading your oath of office out loud before every meeting?” Washington Post political cartoonist Anne Tillens said in the thread.
Famed sports agent Ron Waxman wrote, “The last thing you are is a Patriot,” and journalist Matthew Segura added, “Actions speak louder than words.”
While some resorted to scorning Gaetz as a “rebellionist,” others criticized him for allegedly fueling idle talk or attacking the GOP as a whole.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (left) and Rep. David Cislin who openly challenged the proposal to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before every House Judiciary Committee meeting (right).
(Tom Williams/Bill Clark CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)
Actress and comedian Marsha Warfield criticized, saying, “Your party’s definition of ‘patriotism’ is worthless.”
Kevin Gaither, a former Democratic congressional candidate for Illinois’ 15th district, said, “When are you? [Gaetz] Tired of barking at this carnival?”
“Seas are rising, ecosystems are being destroyed, a virus is killing thousands of Americans every week… and this is your big move,” said independent journalist Walker Bregman.
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Reps. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, left, and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., attend a House Judiciary Committee markup of the “Humane Standards for Persons in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act.”
(Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
“I think if we adopt this amendment, we’ll be truthful in representing that stating this pledge is an affirmation of your defense of democracy and the Constitution. It’s hard to take that claim seriously.” If in fact there is an individual who has in any way supported anyone. Rebellion against the United States government is allowed to lead the covenant,” Representative David Sicilian said Wednesday in response to Gaetz’s proposal.
Gaetz fired back at Sicilian by arguing that many Democrats would not be allowed to lead the recital, arguing that, if he defined “rebellion” as objecting to voters, Democrats have also made this mistake.
Other GOP lawmakers expressed disbelief that the proposal had caused such a stir, including Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., a former Dem. Maybe. I can’t. Believe we’re having this discussion.”
Fox News’ Ron Blitzer contributed to this report.
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