Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) has come out as the first Republican representative to call for Matt Gaetz‘s (R-Florida) resignation. In a tweet Thursday, Kinzinger wrote simply, “Matt Gaetz needs to resign,” while linking to news story about Gaetz’s sex trafficking allegations.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, writing in an op-ed Monday, “Since I’m taking my turn under the gun, let me address the allegations against me directly. First, I have never, ever paid for sex. And second, I, as an adult man, have not slept with a 17-year-old.” Gaetz has vowed to never resign.
Kinzinger also tweeted in bewilderment that Gaetz was a speaker at an event called Women for America First, despite his allegations of connections to sex trafficking an underage girl.
The pro-Trump women’s group said Gaetz “has been a fearless leader in DC. Few members of Congress have been more willing than Matt to stand up & fight on behalf of President Trump & his America First Agenda,” in their promotional material for the event.
Kinzinger is one of nine GOP representatives who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for inciting insurrection on January 6.
