Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was elected as House Speaker today but not without a tense moment where U.S. House Rep Mike Rogers (R-AL) had to be restrained after lunging at U.S. House Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
According to Fox News, Gaetz was discussing with McCarthy the possibility of backing him in the next vote and appeared to mouth the word “committee.”
With McCarthy apparently in agreement and returning to his seat, Rogers, having witnessed the interaction, walked up to Gaetz’s row and made a move toward him.
U.S. House Rep Richard Hudson (R-NC) grabbed Rogers by his face and shoulder, restraining him from potentially making the situation worse.
The incident was captured by C-SPAN’s cameras and again, according to Fox News, Rogers could then be seen appearing to yell: “I won’t forget this!”
BREAKING: Rep. Mike Rogers just lunged at Matt Gaetz.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 7, 2023
This is getting INSANE.pic.twitter.com/ug9UjxNHHK
Neither Rogers nor Gaetz offered a comment to Fox News as of yet, but it seems unlikely that the situation won’t be addressed at some point.
According to one reporter, Rogers’ anger at Gaetz “likely stems from a potential offer, floated by Republican leadership, that would give Gaetz the gavel of a subcommittee on the House Armed Services Committee”
Former GOP Rep and current CNN contributor Adam Kinzinger said of that report in a quote tweet, “Absolutely utterly ridiculously insane if true. Rank and file members should rebel.”
Absolutely utterly ridiculously insane if true. Rank and file members should rebel. https://t.co/bMKbfHCfC4
— Adam Kinzinger #fella (@AdamKinzinger) January 7, 2023
Kinzinger also weighed in on the incident itself as he said in a separate tweet, “Matt Gaetz’s ‘punch me face’ almost got punched.”
Conservative commentator Tim Young shot back at Kinzinger, “The baby who cried is Congress is a real ‘tough guy’ keyboard warrior.”
The baby who cried is Congress is a real ‘tough guy’ keyboard warrior. 🤡
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) January 7, 2023
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