Matt Gaetz to File Ethics Charges Against Nancy Pelosi for SOTU Tantrum

Well, earlier today we reported on unverified speculation that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) might have violated the law when she tore up the state of the union speech paperwork in the House last night right behind President Trump. We originally reported in part:

Last night at the conclusion of the State of the Union address, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi held up her copy of the address and tore it up behind the president’s back. When asked why she ripped up the address she told the reporter “because it was a manifest of mistruths.”

Her actions took most by surprise. It was noted by some on Twitter that Pelosi’s actions may violate a federal statute. Donald Trump Jr. retweeted former Navy Seal Carl Higbie, who’s tweet makes the claim that Pelosi’s actions violate, 18 U.S.C § 2071. Higbie quotes only part of the code in his tweet.

Well, it looks like Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida (R) may be taking this a step in the direction of reality by filing ethics charges against Nancy Pelosi. Gaetz himself tweeted out the plan, and insinuated, against others who have pushed back, that Pelosi’s “conduct was beneath the dignity of the House and a potential violation of law (18 USC 2071)”. You can see his tweet below:

BREAKING: I'm filing an ethics complaint against @SpeakerPelosi for destroying @realDonaldTrump's State of the Union speech.

Her conduct was beneath the dignity of the House, and a potential violation of law (18 USC 2071).

Nobody is above the law. She must be held accountable. pic.twitter.com/dXPPWQNtI8

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 6, 2020

The Daily Caller posted a video of Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) and Gaetz in a Fox News video, also with the announcement. “Tomorrow Laura, (Ingraham) I will be filing charges against Nancy Pelosi in the House Ethics Committee. She disgraced the House of Representatives, she embarrassed our country, and she destroyed official records”. He goes on more in the clip below:

.@RepMattGaetz says he will be filing ethics charges against Speaker Pelosi for destroying “official records” when she tore up Pres. Trump’s #SOTU speech
pic.twitter.com/xurHHsERbI

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) February 6, 2020

Weartv.com reported on Pelosi’s behavior and Gaetz:

Pelosi said she did it, “because it was a manifesto of mistruths.”

“It is hard to overlook the symbolism of such a gesture – the sense that Speaker Pelosi was utterly dismissive of the President’s achievements, and more importantly, the achievements of the American people,” Gaetz’s complaint says.

Gaetz says Pelosi’s conduct was beneath the dignity of the House and a potential violation of law. He adds that Pelosi must be held accountable for her actions.