Republican Matt Gaetz has voiced his opinions on what the GOP might look like in 2022 and it’s got people worried.
During a news conference about the conditions under which accused insurrectionists are being held in, Gaetz again fueled the conspiracy theory that the FBI was somehow involved in the 6 January Capitol riots.
Worryingly, he also suggested that next year extreme right-wing Republicans will be in control - with some of its more extreme members at the forefront of the movement.
Gaetz was flanked by fellow far-right politicians Marjorie Taylor Greene and Louie Gohmert as he spoke about how political figures like Greene and himself will “take power”.
.@RepMattGaetz: "We are going to take power after this next election. When we do, it's not going to be the days of Paul Ryan, and Trey Gowdy, and no real oversight, and no real subpoenas. It's going to be the days of Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Dr. Gosar, and myself." pic.twitter.com/8ID1vMN8IZ
— The Hill (@thehill) December 7, 2021
Gaetz claimed: “We are going to take power after this next election. When we do, it’s not going to be the days of Paul Ryan, and Trey Gowdy, and no real oversight, and no real subpoenas.
“It’s going to be the days of Jim Jordan, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Dr. Gosar, and myself.”
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Gaetz’s suggestion that these controversial individuals would have House oversight was an extremely worrying prospect for some.
Someone commented: “Take this as the threat it is.”
Take this as the threat it is. https://t.co/NTkP4CeIFn
— PoliticsGirl (@IAmPoliticsGirl) December 8, 2021
Another said: “Well this isn’t...terrifying, is it?
Well this isn't...terrifying, is it? https://t.co/Ew0AB9I8SC
— Joe Merlino (@Jbmlv702Joe) December 8, 2021
Someone else wrote: “Well that should frighten the hell out of everyone.”
Well that should frighten the hell out of everyone https://t.co/RHT2nZuQNt
— Jiggly (@JigglyPants44) December 8, 2021
One person said: “This should scare the hell out of every decent and patriotic American.”
This should scare the hell out of every decent and patriotic American. https://t.co/iQYU87k5ki
— Perry's Perspective🇺🇲 (@perryspeaks1) December 8, 2021
Another person suggested: “The Democrats should use this as their campaign ad.”
The Democrats should use this as their campaign ad. https://t.co/EzaHpRUpnv
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 8, 2021
It seems the suggestion may just have had the opposite effect Gaetz intended.