Over the years, some of Gaetz's defenders have argued he ought to be forgiven for the transgressions he committed as a (*checks notes*) 26-year-old adult. But his conduct today should serve as a reminder that he instead needs to be shamed out of public life. During a Trump impeachment hearing this afternoon, Gaetz used his time to make fun of fellow child-of-privilege Hunter Biden for — you guessed it — driving under the influence.
"Hunter said that, at that point, he had not slept for several days," Gaetz said today. "Driving east on Interstate 10 just beyond Palm Springs, he lost control of his car, which jumped the median and skidded to a stop on the shoulder of the westbound side."
Gaetz went on to note that Hertz car rental agents collected the damaged vehicle and found crack and cocaine paraphernalia inside. Of course, Hunter Biden, son of former vice president Joe Biden, has made it no secret he has struggled with crack addiction over the years. But his drug issues are neither germane to the time he spent working with a Ukrainian natural-gas company, nor are they something Gaetz has any right to criticize.
Gaetz was rightfully lambasted. Georgia Rep. Hank Johnson, who represents the Atlanta suburbs, somehow laid into Gaetz and made him look like a fool while also remaining somewhat civil from his perch on the dais.Matt Gaetz just brought up Hunter Biden's struggles with substance abuse during a hearing on Trump's impeachment.
— jordan (@JordanUhl) December 12, 2019
Hank Johnson: "The pot calling the kettle black is not something we should do" pic.twitter.com/Px0vXCD2fX
"I would say that, uh, the pot calling the kettle black is not something that we should do," he said as a chorus of laughter erupted in the room. "I don't know what members, if any, have had any problems with substance abuse, been busted in DUIs, I don't know. But if I did, I wouldn't raise it against anyone on this committee. I don't think it's proper."
New Times, however, has no such qualms with pointing out that police stopped Gaetz for driving 13 mph over the speed limit in 2008 after leaving a Panhandle nightclub presciently named the Swamp. Gaetz claimed to have consumed only two beers, but officers noted he seemed physically impaired and could not pass a field sobriety test performed on his eyes. He then refused a Breathalyzer test.
Somehow — definitely not because his dad was a lawmaker — Gaetz got his license back pretty quickly. Despite the fact that Florida law stipulates his license should have been revoked for at least a year, his suspension lasted less than 12 months. And two years later, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives.
