© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Fla. Congressman Urges GOP Colleagues Not To Cancel Town Halls Due To Angry Protestors

Matt Gaetz Facebook page

A North Florida Congressman is calling on his fellow Republicans across the U.S. to not cancel their town halls due to angry protestors.

Hundreds of protestors have shown up at GOP congressional town halls to protest everything from the repeal of ObamaCare TO President Trump himself. But, that hasn’t deterred Florida's 1st District Congressman Matt Gaetz.

“ISIS and other fundamental terrorist groups are taking advantage of the fact that we don’t seem to be too serious about protecting our Southern Border with Mexico,” said Gaetz, to applause. “That is one of the many reasons that I will stand up and support President Trump when we begin building a wall...”

In fact, the usually outspoken Congressman is taking critics head on, like Gaetz did when a protestor told him he should be ashamed of himself at a recent open house.

“I’m not ashamed of myself,” replied Gaetz.

And, he urges his Congressional colleagues to follow his example.

“We as Republicans have the best argument,” said Gaetz, in a video. “We just have to be courageous enough to go and make it.”

Still, Gaetz says it’s his duty to listen to everyone, even those with a different viewpoint.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.