House GOPers gunning for Gaetz as ethics probe expands to 'broader range' of violations

Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-FL) role as the ringleader behind the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has created enduring resentment among more than a few of the Florida Republican's House colleagues who have grown weary of his grandstanding ways.

According to a report from the Daily Beast's Sam Brodey, Gaetz's unpopularity among Republicans he serves with in the House has grown with one Republican telling the Beast, "There aren’t a lot of people who, you know, are gonna go out of their way to defend Matt Gaetz. I mean, he’s a pretty diabolical character.”

Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), who admitted Gaetz has almost been involved in two physical fights with colleagues, added, "The anger is pretty well with him. I just think there will be long memories because he did serious damage to our House conference.”

One person who appears to be working behind the scenes against Gaetz is McCarthy, whom Brodey described as stalking "...the halls like a ghost determined to avenge his own murder. In interviews, McCarthy has kept alive the idea that Gaetz and his allies deserve punishment, warning gravely that the party won’t heal 'if there’s no consequences for the actions.'"