Far-right Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) continues to wrangle with fallout from the public disclosure of the federal investigation into his potential sex trafficking of a minor.
The investigation centers around a potential sexual relationship between Gaetz and a 17 year old girl—and whether or not he paid for her to travel across state lines.
But it's also led to a bevy of revelations regarding Gaetz's behavior in Congress—reports that he showed naked pictures of his sexual partners to colleagues on the House floor, that he played a points-based game competing with Florida state legislature on their sexual conquests, and that he'd hosted drug-fueled orgies with women he met online.
While Gaetz conceded that he was "not a monk," the Congressman continues to fervently deny any wrongdoing and says that he's never had sex with a 17 year old as an adult.
Now, this denial is freshly tarnished by reports that Gaetz, one of the most fervent supporters of former President Donald Trump, asked the 45th President for a blanket pardon shortly before he left the White House.
According to the New York Times:
"[Gaetz] privately asked the White House for blanket pre-emptive pardons for himself and unidentified congressional allies for any crimes they may have committed, according to two people told of the discussions."
Trump earned widespread criticism for his eagerness to pardon political allies like Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Mike Flynn, and dozens of others who worked on or supported his campaign.
The New York Times notes that it's unclear whether Gaetz knew about the impending investigation into him, which began under Trump's Justice Department.
But no one is surprised that Gaetz tried to limit his criminal exposure with a plea to his favorite President.
Some took the reports of further confirmation of Gaetz's guilt.
Gaetz has insisted that he won't be resigning.
