It’s becoming increasingly more obvious that Matt Gaetz is 1000% screwed.
Last week, the antigay congressman’s ex-girlfriend testified before a federal grand jury investigating him for sex crimes. Now, CBS News reports that she’s officially been granted immunity and is being treated as a potential key witness in the case against him:
The woman, who CBS News is not naming to protect her privacy, testified in front of a federal grand jury in Orlando last Wednesday. She is viewed as a potential key witness, according to two sources familiar with the investigation. One of the sources said she has information related to the investigation of both the sex trafficking and obstruction allegations.
In response to this bombshell news, Gaetz’s attorneys issued a statement saying they’ve seen “no credible basis” for a prosecution of their client.
Related: Matt Gaetz’s wife praises his generous “gift” giving and, um, awkward
But CBS News legal analyst Rikki Kleiman points out, “The government does not give immunity blindly. They know what they’re getting in exchange.” Which suggests that there must be at least some credible basis, or the feds wouldn’t have granted the ex protection.
News of the investigation into Gaetz first broke last March. According to The New York Times, it was opened in the final months of Trump’s failed one term presidency under the direction of then-Attorney General Bill Barr.
Multiple sources claim Gaetz’s ex tagged along with him and his alleged 17-year-old lover on a trip to the Bahamas in 2018. CBS News also reports that investigators are looking into whether the embattled lawmaker obstructed justice when he had a secret phone call with the ex and another woman.
Now, the tweets…
Matt Gaetz's life and career are over, whether he knows it yet or not. https://t.co/imYZKLajRx
— MeidasTouch.com (@MeidasTouch) January 18, 2022
Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend has been granted immunity.
I hope this means Matt Gaetz will be granted an indictment.
— KD ????? (@kdnerak33) January 17, 2022
The walls are closing in on Matt Gaetz thanks to his ex-girlfriend who I personally think is lovely.
— Kate ??? (@ImSpeaking13) January 17, 2022
BREAKING – Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend not only testified before grand jury — she was granted full immunity.
She’s fully cooperating: testimony, documents (texts, emails, maybe call logs or financials).
She had receipts. You don’t get full immunity without receipts.
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) January 18, 2022
Matt Gaetz just got immunocompromised
— Daniel Uhlfelder (@DWUhlfelderLaw) January 18, 2022
Holy shit Matt Gaetz was just put on the burner.
Orville or Pop Secret?
— Donhammed Trumpistan (@kevinwitvliet00) January 18, 2022
Raise your hand if today is a GREAT day to arrest Matt Gaetz! ?
— Jon Cooper ?? (@joncoopertweets) January 18, 2022
Matt Gaetz is about to pay for what he did… but not on Venmo.
— Cam F*CK WHITE SUPREMACY Grant (@kiltedactivist) January 18, 2022
There’s only one reason why Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend would be granted immunity to testify.
Rapey McFivehead, you in danger girl.
— ???? (@antifaoperative) January 17, 2022
I don’t think Matt Gaetz is feeling Luckey tonight.
— Outspoken (@Out5p0ken) January 18, 2022
Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the ongoing case against him.
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
GlobeTrotter
I’m TIRED of this Matt Gaetz story! It’s been drawn out so long that I suspect most people have simply lost interest by now.
That’s the problem with the post-Trump era, a total lack of timely consequences. Trump’s still walking around, free as a bird. Ditto Matt Gaetz as well as all the major players that corrupted our government during the Trump presidency. Justice must not only be done, but it should be seen to be done, and in a timely manner.
The fact that Trump & Co. haven’t paid any consequences for riding roughshod over our democracy for four long years suggests to me that the Justice Dept. simply doesn’t have a case to charge them with.
Cam
You don’t offer immunity to others to testify, and they don’t accept it, if there aren’t valid charges.
Juanjo
She testified before a grand jury. Prosecutors call grand juries because they want to present evidence and get an indictment. They gave this woman immunity from prosecution which means she had something they wanted to use. They would have wanted to know what she had before agreeing to the grant of immunity. It does take time to put a case together. This is not an episode of Law & Order.
GayEGO
Ha ha ha! Matt Gaetz is going to turn, as said by Ben Carson, GAY in prison!
barryaksarben
I have NEVER wanted to see and entitled white manchild go to prison more than this pos and I dont care if I have to wait, Ill wait. FOr as long as it takes , Ill wait
Fahd
I appreciate reading about these new developments. I´m following the case.
Prax07
C’mon already. Put at least One of these republican dirtbags in prison where they ALL belong.
Openminded
“Gaetz’s attorney issued a statement that they have seen “no credible basis” for prosecution.
Just once I’d love to see someone’s lawyer state “Yeah, my client’s guilty as sin, but I’m still taking his money, I mean case, to trial.”
CNY1983
so FOX isn’t interested anymore either I suppose.