Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is facing a blizzard of criticism from his colleagues in the House of Representatives over the threat he tweeted to former Trump attorney and current star congressional witness Michael Cohen.

On Tuesday afternoon, Gaetz threatened Cohen with unsubstantiated allegations, tweeting “Hey @MichaelCohen212 – Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she’ll remain faithful when you’re in prison. She’s about to learn a lot…”

That tweet, which may have violated the law, was met with immediate condemnation from many of Gaetz’s fellow House members, who took him to task on Twitter, several of whom noted Gaetz’s possible legal exposure:

“It’s crazy to me that witness tampering can just happen in the open now, and it seems to be without any kind of repercussions.”@RepKatieHill responds to Rep. Matt Gaetz’s tweet to Michael Cohen.

“It’s certainly a threat that’s being made,” adds Hill.https://t.co/rqF4zCd0tX pic.twitter.com/pyUOCEgWmf

— OutFrontCNN (@OutFrontCNN) February 27, 2019

18 U.S. Code § 1512. Tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant https://t.co/ka9Nly26G1

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 26, 2019

In Executive Time & randomly came across 18 U.S. Code § 1512(b):

“Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person…with intent to…influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding” commits a felony.

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 26, 2019

This is beyond inappropriate.https://t.co/8hR9TX9fwS

— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) February 26, 2019

.@MattGaetz, this isn’t a scene from Godfather II. Witness intimidation is not going to work. The truth will come out. https://t.co/zdYXqfu36i

— David Cicilline (@davidcicilline) February 26, 2019

Matt, we have talked about reforming Congress before and you voted with us on Yemen. Why this? Shouldn’t we encourage all witnesses to testify? https://t.co/kDpg8xfkZB

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) February 26, 2019

One of my colleagues, a duly elected member of Congress, has taken to twitter to intimidate a witness. This is grossly unethical and probably illegal (18 USC § 1512(b)).

House Ethics must investigate this disgrace and stain on our institution. https://t.co/MLEsqkarfC

— Bill Pascrell, Jr. (@BillPascrell) February 26, 2019

Hard to combine disgusting and maybe criminal stupidity in one tweet but, hey, you did it. Keep this up, Cohen’s going to need a double cell. https://t.co/MDTHxm5grJ

— Sean Patrick Maloney (@RepSeanMaloney) February 26, 2019

This tweet is despicable, even for a dimwitted and craven Trump sycophant. https://t.co/VCQPPD2N2c

— Rep. Jared Huffman (@JaredHuffman) February 27, 2019

Gaetz was also rebuked by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who issued a statement that suggested the House Ethics Committee look into Gaetz’s remark:

I encourage all Members to be mindful that comments made on social media or in the press can adversely affect the ability of House Committees to obtain the truthful and complete information necessary to fulfill their duties. https://t.co/NDnxkaiFCA pic.twitter.com/DIIgSHgeb5

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 26, 2019

Since making the threat, Gaetz has made several attempts at cleanup, each worse than the last.

[Image via]

from Mediaite https://ift.tt/2VqMtml