Gaetz urged Florida GOP Chair Christian Ziegler while speaking to NBC News after speaking as a surrogate for former President Donald Trump in Iowa.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., joined the chorus of prominent politicians calling on Republican Party of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler to resign over allegations of rape.

“We’re at the posture where we would be better served with different leadership in the Republican Party and I think it’s time to move on and select a different leader,” Gaetz told NBC News after delivering remarks as a surrogate for former President Donald Trump in Iowa.

“I do think he should step aside,” he added.

Gaetz’s comments are a shift, underscoring that Ziegler is losing more support. Last week, Gaetz told Florida Politics and Politico he thought it was too soon to weigh in.

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    11 months ago

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    CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., joined the chorus of prominent politicians calling on Republican Party of Florida Chair Christian Ziegler to resign over allegations of rape.

    “We’re at the posture where we would be better served with different leadership in the Republican Party and I think it’s time to move on and select a different leader,” Gaetz told NBC News after delivering remarks as a surrogate for former President Donald Trump in Iowa.

    “Given my experience, I tend to wait for the facts to come out before rendering judgment,” said the Florida Republican, who was investigated by the Justice Department for sex trafficking but ultimately not charged with a crime.

    But Trump acolytes — including Steve Bannon and Corey Lewandowski — have urged him to remain in power, putting Gaetz at odds with others in the former president’s inner circle.

    Christian and his wife, Bridget, were planning to have a consensual sexual encounter with the alleged victim, whom the couple has known for 20 years.

    Christian, however, went to the woman’s apartment and then raped her, according to a search warrant affidavit that was first reported by the Florida Center for Government Accountability and shared with NBC News.


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