The New York Times falsy reported Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz asked former President Donald Trump for a preemptive pardon towards the end of his term, Trump released a statement Wednesday to debunk the claim.
Gaetz is currently being accused of smuggling a 17-year-old girl across state lines to have sexual relations with.
“Congressman Matt Gaetz has never asked me for a pardon. It must also be remembered that he has totally denied the accusations against him,” the statement said.
The New York Times created a story on Tuesday using two anonymous sources claiming Gaetz approached Trump and other members of congress a preemptive pardon.
Gaetz’s response to the accusations is that he and his family are victims of an attempted extortion scheme by a former official from the Department of Justice, David McGee, who is allegedly trying to get $25 million from them by threatening a federal investigation.
There hasn’t been any evidence presented by Gaetz to support his claims against McGee.
At this time, no victim from what Gaetz is being accused of has been identified.