Michael Fanone says Matt Gaetz's efforts to clear Trump of committing insurrection are part of his 'endless ass-kissing campaign'

• On January 6, 2021, then-DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone was attacked defending the Capitol.
• Now, Rep. Matt Gaetz is circulating a draft resolution absolving Trump of committing insurrection.

As Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz continues to circulate a drafted resolution saying former President Donald Trump didn't "engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or give aid or comfort to the enemies thereof," retired DC Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone isn't surprised.

"It's another example of Matt Gaetz's endless ass-kissing campaign to ingratiate himself with Donald Trump," he told Business Insider Friday morning.

Gaetz's press secretary declined Business Insider's request for comment.

In late January, the Daily Mail reported Gaetz's office had begun sending emails of the resolution to members of the House who've endorsed Trump's reelection campaign. It noted that 27 Republican members had already signed on as co-sponsors.

A week later, on Wednesday, The New Republic reported that Gaetz had stepped up his co-sponsor recruitment effort, handing out physical copies of the resolution at the Capitol to various members. Gaetz has yet to file the resolution, but Politico reported that same day it would likely be coming soon.

House resolutions are not law, and as Trump continues to fight against a litany of legal battles related to the January 6 Capitol riots, it's unclear if Gaetz's resolution would affect the cases' outcomes in any way.

Fanone certainly didn't think they would.

"I don't know how circulating a letter signed by a bunch of Republicans has any bearing on reality or would be seen as some type of contradictory evidence as to what we all saw unfold on January 6th and what we've all learned from Republicans about what Donald Trump did and what his supporters did in the weeks and months leading up to January 6th."

Fanone said he was certain that electoral-related violence would return, saying it "never stopped after January 6th."

Ultimately, he said, "I feel betrayed" by Trump supporters and legislators he said are operating out of their self-interests.

"Look at the state of America, and these people created it," he said.

"I can't go to the fucking gym without having somebody confront me and scream in my face because they think that I'm part of some conspiracy to prevent Donald Trump from occupying the fucking White House. And that's become an everyday part of my life. Not once in a while, not once a week, once a month, or every few months. It's every fucking day."