- In June 2021, 21 GOP lawmakers voted against giving Capitol police officers congressional medals.
- This Monday, many of them leapt to Trump's defense over the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago.
In June 2021, 21 Republican lawmakers stood in opposition to legislation that would have awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers who risked their lives at the Capitol during the January 6 riot.
Though the House eventually approved the medals, these Republicans rejected the idea that medals should be awarded — with some lawmakers objecting to how those who attacked the Capitol were referred to as insurrectionists.
On Monday, these GOP lawmakers joined a chorus of voices asking for the FBI to be destroyed and defunded for executing a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump's potential 2024 rivals — including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio — joined the former president's defense on Monday, decrying the operation and alleging it was politically motivated.
The GOP branch of the House Judiciary Committee posted a rebuke of the FBI on Twitter, writing: "This is what happens in third world countries. Not the United States. Doesn't the FBI have better things to do than harass the former PRESIDENT?"
"If they can do it to a former President, imagine what they can do to you," they added in a separate tweet.
The GOP's vociferous protest of the FBI's action comes despite indications that the search warrant is likely due to an overwhelming amount of evidence against Trump. Christopher Wray, the current FBI chief, was also a Trump appointee nominated in June 2017 who the former president once described as "a man of impeccable credentials."
Here's what these lawmakers said on Monday about the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago — and how it contrasts with their pro-law enforcement stance.
Andy Biggs
—Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) August 8, 2022
Biggs in May 2021 released a statement on National Police Week, saying that "serving in law enforcement takes a special kind of person."
"Instead of the hyper-critique they have received of recent times, they deserve the praise and admiration of this body. Police officers routinely face grave threats with great courage," Biggs wrote.
Lauren Boebert
—Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) August 9, 2022
In a statement on her website, Boebert called law enforcement "the heroes that run towards danger while others run away."
"Our men and women in law enforcement work tirelessly every day to protect our communities and have my full and unwavering support," Boebert wrote. "In short, I back the blue, and I will never apologize for it."
Andrew Clyde
—Rep. Andrew Clyde (@Rep_Clyde) August 8, 2022
In a statement in March 2021, Clyde wrote: "I have, and always will be, a fervent supporter of our men and women in uniform."
"I do my best each day to honor our law enforcement officers, service members, and all those who serve in uniform on our behalf," he added, saying he would "not use their sacrifice as a political tool."
Warren Davidson
—Warren Davidson (@WarrenDavidson) August 9, 2022
"This war on police must end!#DefendThePolice," the congressman wrote on Facebook in September 2020.
In May 2021, he also called for people to "be sure to show your appreciation" for officers' "hard work and dedicated service."
Matt Gaetz
—Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) August 8, 2022
Gaetz in April 2021 railed against a DOJ investigation into allegations that he sex-trafficked a minor, writing in an op-ed that he had "decided to take on the most powerful institutions in the Beltway: the establishment; the FBI" and "the Biden Justice Department."
Gaetz, has, however, like many GOP lawmakers, expressed his backing of the police.
—Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) June 22, 2020
Louie Gohmert
—Louie Gohmert (@replouiegohmert) August 9, 2022
"We are always grateful for the men and women in blue who have sworn to protect and serve our communities," Gohmert tweeted on National Police Week in May 2018. "This week, we thank you and honor you for your service!"
Bob Good
—Congressman Bob Good (@RepBobGood) August 9, 2022
Good on Monday also retweeted an exhortation to GOP leader Kevin McCarthy to "immediately set up a modern day Church committee to investigate the FBI & other weaponized deep state arms."
In January 2021, Good tweeted in support of law enforcement officials, saying that he thanks "the men and women who leave their families each day to protect ours. #BackTheBlue."
Paul Gosar
—Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) August 9, 2022
"Back the blue. Now. Phoenix supports our law enforcement and our president," Gosar tweeted on November 2020.
Marjorie Taylor Greene
—Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 9, 2022
Greene is known for her pro-cop stance, even signing up to speak at an Ohio "Back the Blue" rally back in April 2021. She also proposed legislation to award gold medals to police officers to honor them with medals for protecting cities against "Black Lives Matter (BLM) terrorists."
Thomas Massie
—Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) August 9, 2022
Massie previously expressed gratitude to law enforcement in his state for supporting him.
"I am always thankful for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line each day to protect communities in the 4th District," Massie posted on Facebook in November 2020.
Barry Moore
—Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) August 9, 2022
In an op-ed about his vote on the Congressional Gold Medals, Moore clarified that he thought "these brave men and women rightfully deserve this accolade after putting their lives on the line to protect the People's House."
"I have always backed the blue, and I always will, as a matter of principle, not politics," he wrote in an op-ed published in the Montgomery Advertiser.
Ralph Norman
—Rep. Ralph Norman (@RepRalphNorman) August 9, 2022
Norman, too, is a proponent of the "back the blue" slogan.
"As I have said repeatedly, law enforcement officers who serve their communities with honor and dignity will always have my respect," Norman wrote on Facebook in July 2021.
"It is maddening to me to see a lack of appreciation and support for our men and women in law enforcement, which unfortunately permeates too many parts of our society today. This has to stop," he continued in that Facebook post. "It is right to demand transparency and accountability from our law enforcement agencies – nobody disagrees with that. Nor should anyone disagree that when law enforcement officers are held to account, it should be based on fair, appropriate standards that are blind to external pressures and the public spotlight."
A representative for Norman told Insider that the congressman was "calling out a law enforcement agency that appears to be acting in bad faith."
Greg Steube
—Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) August 9, 2022
Rep. Greg Steube's rebuke of the FBI stands in stark contrast to his statement in May 2020, where he spoke up in support of law enforcement officers' mental health.
"I'm honored to have a Father as a former Sheriff and a brother who still serves as a Deputy Sheriff," Steube wrote. "Those who put on the uniform every day to protect and serve our communities deserve our support and assistance when they need it most."