- Rep.
Matt Gaetz once again attacked tech firms that he says are censoring conservatives. - "We have a
Second Amendment in this country, and I think we have an obligation to use it," he said. - His remarks drew condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans.
Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida on Thursday escalated his rhetoric against
Gaetz, who is the subject of a federal sex-trafficking investigation, made the remarks at an "American First" tour event in Georgia, where he appeared alongside Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Greene, like Gaetz, is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump.
"The internet's hall monitors out in Silicon Valley, they think they can suppress us, discourage us. Maybe if you're just a little less patriotic. Maybe if you just conform to their way of thinking a little more, then you'll be allowed to participate in the digital world," Gaetz told the audience.
"Well, you know what? Silicon Valley can't cancel this movement, or this rally, or this congressman. We have a Second Amendment in this country, and I think we have an obligation to use it."
-Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 28, 2021
He went on to discuss the Second Amendment more broadly.
"The Second Amendment, this is a little history lesson for all the fake news media, the Second Amendment is not about hunting, it's not about recreation, it's not about sports. The Second Amendment is about maintaining within the citizenry the ability to maintain an armed rebellion against the government if that becomes necessary," he said.
The full stream of the event, as broadcast by Right Side Media, is available on YouTube, with Gaetz's comments on Silicon Valley starting at the 1 hour, 12 minute mark.
The remarks have drawn condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, who accused Gaetz of seeking to incite violence.
"Dear @GOPLeader: You need to remove Rep Matt Gaetz from the House Judiciary Committee. It's a conflict of interest for Gaetz to have oversight over the DOJ that is investigating him for sex crimes. Also, Gaetz is urging people to shoot Silicon Valley employees," Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California tweeted, tagging House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
-Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 28, 2021
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a Republican from Illinois who has been a frequent critic of the pro-Trump Republican far right, said the remarks were not protected by the First Amendment, with speech that constitutes an incitement to "imminent lawless action" not protected by the Constitution.
"This is not speech protected by the first amendment. This is beyond yelling fire in a theater," he tweeted.
-Adam Kinzinger (@AdamKinzinger) May 28, 2021
Insider has contacted Gaetz's office for comment.
Many Republicans have geared up their attacks against Silicon Valley following the decision by Facebook and Twitter to bar Trump in the wake of the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. The companies said Trump used their platforms to incite the rioters.
Gaetz's remarks come with Senate Republicans largely expected to vote against a bill passed by the House for the formation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack.
Gaetz is said to be under legal pressure from investigators examining whether he paid a minor for sex. No charges have been filed in the case, and Gaetz has denied wrongdoing.