U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, from Texas, is at the center of a controversy within the Republican party after calling some of his fellow lawmakers "scumbags" and "klansmen."
Speaking with CNN, Gonzales blasted the party's more right-wing faction for opposing the bill sending foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, focusing on the former. "It didn't surprise me that some of these folks voted against aid to Israel," he said.
Gonzales went on to single out two lawmakers who have also endorsed Brandon Herrera, a YouTuber focused on guns activism who is challenging in a primary this year.
"It's my absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags like [Florida Congressman] Matt Gaetz. He paid minors to have sex with them at drunk parties," Gonzales said. He also called out Rep. Bob Good and criticized him for endorsing Herrera, who he called a "known neo-Nazi."
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 19, 2024
Gonzales' remarks followed the House Freedom Caucus' negative to vote for the foreign aid bill, its members saying that border security measures needed to be passed before focusing on that subject. Republicans had already rejected a bipartisan border security bill that could have paved the way for a foreign aid initiative saying saying it didn't go far enough.
Freedom Caucus members were quick to pick up the glove, with Rep. Eli Crane from Arizona saying that it was "pathetic" to call other lawmakers klansmen. He went on to endorse Herrera in the district's primary.
Bob Good, the chair of the Caucus, added that "it is not surprising that one of the most liberal RINOs in Congress, who has egregiously fought against real border security, and votes like a Democrat, would also resort to the Democrat playbook in screaming 'racism' against those exposing him."
"Thankfully, the good people of the Texas 23rd District have the opportunity to vote for change and an America First patriot, in Brandon Herrera," he added.
Herrera, on his end, sought to ride the wave saying Gonzales' statements were an act of desperation because he's concerned about losing the primary. "This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen," Herrera said on social media.
Gonzales has already been at odds with members of his party, the latest time taking place when the representative supported a bipartisan gun safety bill following the mass shooting at Uvalde's Robb Elementary School, which is located in his district.
This drew severe backlash from many Republicans, with the state chapter voting to censure him in response. It also created an opening for many to challenge him in party primaries. After he failed to get over 50% of the votes to avoid a runoff, he is set to face Herrera, a self-described "Second Amendment activist."
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