Rep. Gaetz introduces resolution asserting Trump did not incite insurrection

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is introducing a resolution alongside more than two dozen Republicans stating that former President Donald Trump “did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States.”

Gaetz’s resolution has 60 co-sponsors.

According to The Daily Mail, Gaetz has been seeking support from fellow Republican lawmakers for more than two weeks.

An email from Gaetz’s staff, obtained by the outlet, stated, “You are receiving this email because your boss endorsed President Trump, and we would love to have your support as an original cosponsor before we send the resolution and the list of sponsors to the former President.”

Gaetz and 25 other Republicans will hold a press conference on Tuesday to announce the resolution, which is largely symbolic given that it has no chance of passing in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

“The coalition of Republicans … seeks to clarify the stance of the House of Representatives be that President Trump did not participate in actions that would bar him from again holding public office,” Gaetz’s office said in a statement. “The resolution directly states that ‘President Donald J. Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.'”

The timing is significant, as the Supreme Court is set to begin hearing oral arguments about the legality of the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to remove Trump from the state’s primary ballot over the insurrectionist clause in the 14th Amendment.

This resolution states, “This resolution is a no-brainer — controversial only to the most extreme of the far-left — and a statement of fact that every single Republican can be expected to support,” according to The Daily Mail. “If the left has the courage to interfere in our elections and weaponize the judicial system against our brethren, we must have the courage to express what is self-evident.” 

The original co-sponsors of the legislation include Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., and House Republican policy chair Gary Palmer, R-Ala.