Matt Gaetz flexes muscle after Mike Rogers confrontation: ‘Glad that’s over’

Matt Gaetz flexes muscle after Mike Rogers confrontation: ‘Glad that’s over’

In the final night of the historic series of votes that saw Rep. Kevin McCarthy elected Speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, was physically restrained during an angry confrontation with Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz.

The tense moment Friday night between Rogers and Gaetz came after McCarthy talked with Gaetz, seen pointing and wagging his finger in the exchange, after McCarthy’s failed 14th vote.

In the vote, and the final 15th vote, which saw McCarthy elected, Gaetz voted “present.”

Some Republicans applauded when Gaetz voted “present” in the 14th vote, but were seemingly surprised when Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert also voted “present” and forced a 15th vote, The Hill reported.

Gaetz and Boebert were sitting together during the confrontation with Rogers.

Rogers was “frustrated because Gaetz had been holding out for a subcommittee gavel on the Armed Services Committee,” NBC News reported. “Rogers is poised to chair the full committee.”

McCarthy later said “no one gets promised anything” when asked if he promised Gaetz a subcommittee gavel, ABC News reported.

After the exchange with Rogers, Gaetz stood and flexed his right bicep.

Gaetz voted “present” on the 15th vote. “Glad it’s over,” ABC reported Gaetz said as he walked off the House floor.