Amid federal probe, Matt Gaetz will speak to conservative women’s group at Trump golf course

Now, Gaetz is planning to take middle stage later this week as a keynote speaker at a conservative women’s group’s convention at former president Donald Trump’s Miami golf course.

Women for America First, a nonprofit group of Trump loyalists, orchestrated and publicized a rally on Jan. 6 earlier than the lethal riot at the U.S. Capitol, and in addition led bus excursions nationwide spreading unfounded claims of election fraud.

“We know firsthand what it is like to be treated unfairly by the main stream media,” Amy Kremer, the group’s chairwoman, mentioned in an announcement to The Washington Post that defended Gaetz as “innocent until proven guilty.”

The occasion, known as the “Save America Summit,” begins Thursday at Trump’s Doral golf resort and in addition consists of appearances from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.).

Gaetz’s look comes as he faces an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into accusations of sexual relationships with underage ladies in violation of intercourse trafficking legal guidelines. The probe started after Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector now charged with stalking and sex trafficking of a minor, instructed investigators that Gaetz had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her journey with him.

On Friday, The Washington Post reported that Gaetz repeatedly bragged to a number of Florida politicians about assembly ladies by Greenberg. The Post additionally reported that on a number of events Gaetz confirmed colleagues photographs of bare ladies.

Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and claimed his family is being extorted. The FBI is individually wanting into these allegations.

Women for America First known as Gaetz a “fearless leader in DC” in a tweet Tuesday asserting his look at the convention. Kremer advised the allegations towards Gaetz had been a partisan plot.

“We know that partisan political witch hunts are standard operating procedure for many in the media,” she mentioned in an announcement to The Post.

Kremer’s group organized a “Stop the Steal” rally within the Washington in November that drew thousands. In December, it deliberate a “March for Trump” in D.C., that devolved into violence as extremist teams, together with the Proud Boys, brawled with anti-Trump protesters. By the top of the night time, there have been 4 stabbings and almost three dozen arrests.

In the weeks main up to the Jan. 6 riot, Women for America First held a cross-country bus tour. During the stops in 20 cities, the group held rallies the place audio system repeated Trump’s false claims of a stolen election, in accordance to a BuzzFeed News investigation.

On Jan. 5, the group acquired a allow for a rally the next day on the Ellipse, simply exterior the White House, and for an one other “March for Trump.” Speaking to a crowd the morning of Jan. 6, Kremer repeated Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud, saying, “You guys, we cannot back down.”

Reis Thebault contributed to this report.