PROUD TALIBAN: Freedom circus loudmouth endorses comparison of himself to terror group
Matt Gaetz says it’s “hurtful” for another Republican to compare him, and members of his small band of MAGA extremists, to the Taliban.
At the same time, he acknowledges a parallel and even seems to credit the (other) extremist group for preparedness and victory.
Gaetz has been rallying a handful of Republicans to oppose the election of Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker.
He and others have publicly complained because McCarthy acknowledged Donald Trump’s culpability for January 6th, and they argue that the would-be Speaker is too willing to cooperate across the aisle, but McCarthy says they’re actually just holding out for personal benefits and demands.
Representative-elect Don Bacon (R-NE) joined other members of Gaetz’ own party to call out the smaller group for their antics and tactics, calling them the “chaos caucus,” and the “Taliban 20.”
He said that the party as a whole had negotiated “in good faith” with the subgroup, that “almost all” of their demands had been met, and that “there’s anger out there” over the refusal to support McCarthy.
After a long day in which the House, over the course of three separate votes, failed to elect a Speaker, Gaetz shared reporting about the label Tuesday evening, and argued that it was false, before adding that “he too” will “ultimately win.”
Retweeting Fox News reporter Chad Pergram, Gaetz shot back:
Bacon refers to me as the “Taliban.” Well….as hurtful and false as that is….I too am prepared for an extended battle that I will ultimately win.
In two tweets, Pergram had shared Bacon’s comments, describing the party’s annoyance with Gaetz and company.
B) Bacon: We gave two sets of demands to him and Kevin McCarthy almost gave them everything, but nothing in return.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 3, 2023
He’s not the first to express this frustration.
Others in the Republican Party have called for everyone to get on board with supporting McCarthy, and complained that work is being held up — new members can’t be sworn in until a House Speaker is elected, and no legislation, including budgets, can be passed through the House until this initial task is complete.
Even Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of Gaetz’ fiercest allies, and with a reputation for antics on the House floor to disrupt the work of Congress, is complaining at this point that important work (by which, granted, she admits she means investigations of President Joe Biden and others against whom she holds a vendetta) has been put on hold.
See Gaetz’s tweet below.
