During the last stage of the fight surrounding the Speaker of the House, Mike Rodgers angrily lunged at holdout Mike Gaetz while on the House floor, with only his colleagues holding him back. Since then, Gatz and Rodgers have now publicly made up, but the image will not likely leave Americans’ minds anytime soon.
Rogers v. Gaetz pic.twitter.com/fMe9uaTu37
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) January 7, 2023
In the video., Rodgers’ colleague can be seen not only holding him back but placing a hand over Rodgers’ mouth, presumably to prevent him from saying anything further to Gaetz.
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The animosity between them started when Gaetz outed Rodgers attempted use of blackmail, threatening to remove Gaetz from committee positions if he refused to fall in line. However, that angle didn’t work. Gaetz explained that such seats would be meaningless under an unfettered McCarthy Speakership.
“Our position is that if Kevin McCarthy is the speaker of the house and we don’t have an ability to ensure that there is umf behind the agenda and energy behind our oversight, then our committee assignments don’t mean that much anyway,”
Rogers v. Gaetz pic.twitter.com/fMe9uaTu37
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) January 7, 2023
At the time of the lunge, McCarthy had failed to win enough votes for a speaker for a fourteenth time, and the last failure was only by one vote, Gaetz’s, kindling the frustration in Rodgers that led to the lunge.
However, Gaetz and Rodgers have come out and buried the hatchet since then, calling the outburst a “moment of frustration” that pales compared to their “6-year productive working relationship.”
.@RepMikeRogersAL and I have a six-year productive, working relationship. We're going to work together wonderfully going forward.
I don't think there should be any punishment or reprisal just because he had an animated moment.
He has my forgiveness. pic.twitter.com/bXERia3a0j
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 8, 2023
Rodgers retweeted Gaetz, apologizing for his behavior and voicing his appreciation for Gaetz’s understanding.
.@RepMattGaetz and I have a long and productive working relationship, that I am sure will continue. I regret that I briefly lost my temper on the House Floor Friday evening and appreciate Matt’s kind understanding. https://t.co/8GmbJHO3cK
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) January 8, 2023
The two Congressmen’s followers, however, had more mixed feelings.
Some commenters on Gaetz’s tweet told the Congressmen he should not be excusing Rodgers’ behavior, while others commended him for taking the high road.
Well, that's very magnanimous of you, but honestly, he deserves substantial punishment.
— Jeremy Carl (@jeremycarl4) January 8, 2023
Domestic violence victims often feel this way. It’s not okay to be treated like that, forgiveness is not always the way.
— MamaSherryll (@mamasherryll) January 8, 2023
He deserved punishment. What happens if he does it again in a committee or something else he doesn't like.
— Brenda (@birdzu) January 8, 2023
I actually enjoyed all of it. It was a call back to the way our forefathers wanted the system to work. The way they originally set up the government was to slow it down.
— Ancientreapers (@Ancientreapers0) January 8, 2023
Beautiful display of grace. Well done! You’re quickly becoming one of my favorite members of Congress. Keep up the good work for the American PEOPLE. 🙏❤️🇺🇸🫡
— EP (@E_Pizzle1) January 8, 2023
Matt Gaetz, you're a class act all the way around my man, I hope you stay the way you are, & stick around for a long time. I'm proud of what you guys did, now you just have to hold McCarthy's feet to the fire & make sure he follows through with everything he agreed to.
— Glenn M (@doubleN66) January 8, 2023
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Those responding to Gaetz’s apology had a similar mix, with some saying Rodgers shouldn’t apologize for his actions (likely due to distaste for Gaetz), while others applauded him for taking the high road.
— Hamby aka Walt's Dad (@HambySanDiego) January 9, 2023
You should’ve been the one to come out immediately and apologize. Disingenuous to do it this way!!
— Mike (@michaeljashmore) January 8, 2023
Nicely done. 👏👏👏. This is what (imo) most Americans expect and deserve.
— mikekunze (@mikekunze) January 8, 2023
Someone needs to tell @DanCrenshawTX THIS is how real men apologize and settle their differences.
— LAST_2 (@uknowwhy222) January 8, 2023
Someone needs to tell @DanCrenshawTX THIS is how real men apologize and settle their differences.
— LAST_2 (@uknowwhy222) January 8, 2023
But, perhaps most importantly, the exchange made for some great comedy.
It gave us this great meme so you’re forgiven pic.twitter.com/T773SiiDC4
— Gooners Never Say Die☠️ (@GoonersDream) January 8, 2023
This was about to be Rep. Mike Rodgers to Gaetz pic.twitter.com/IiK390gSv0
— Addison Smith (@AddisonSmithOAN) January 7, 2023
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