Rep. Matt Gaetz Ignites Controversy with Support for Trump, Echoing Infamous Proud Boys Phrase

Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, has sparked controversy with a post on X in which he declared his support for former President Donald Trump, stating, "standing back and standing by, Mr. President." The post included a photo of Gaetz standing behind Trump inside the Manhattan criminal courthouse. Gaetz's comment was a direct reference to Trump's own statement to the far-right group the Proud Boys in 2020, when he told them to "Stand back and stand by." Many of the group's members participated in the January 6 Capitol breach, and their leader, Enrique Tarrio, along with several top allies, are currently serving prison sentences for seditious conspiracy related to the attack.