You can add this to the list of self-inflicted wounds from these idiots since they were sadly allowed to take control of the House this year. Florida-Man Matt Gaetz and his staff apparently aren't too good at doing background checks. Given the fact that Gaetz might have a lot of trouble passing one himself, I don't find this all that surprising.
Matt Gaetz Honors Accused Murderer In First Judiciary Committee Meeting:
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) kicked off the first meeting of the House Judiciary Committee last week by cordially inviting an accused murderer to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Under its new Republican leadership, the 118th Congress’ Judiciary Committee may choose to start each hearing with the pledge ― an amendment to the rules put forth by Gaetz, who said it allowed members to invite “inspirational constituents” to lead it.
The first honor went to Corey Beekman, a retired National Guard member accused of killing a man in 2019 whose case has not gone to trial.
Gaetz did not mention this aspect of his guest’s backstory. Beekman led the pledge in his military dress uniform on Feb. 1.
Here's more from a local Florida station:
A Mason County family is furious after the man once charged with killing a family member was honored by the House Judiciary Committee last week.
The case goes back nearly four years, but this latest turn in Washington D.C. is bringing up old wounds for the family here in Northern Michigan.
Corey Beekman was charged with killing Billy Buchanan back in April of 2019, but the charges were dropped after a key witness refused to testify. Beekman has since moved to Florida and was invited to D.C. by Representative Matt Gaetz where Bleekman lead the House Judiciary Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance. Bleekman was being recognized for his time serving in the Army National Guard.
The family was shocked, angered and disgusted, and said it was "like a knife to the heart for our family." Gaetz's office has been in contact with the family and apologized.
He may have apologized for this one, but don't expect Gaetz to be apologizing for being a grandstanding idiot and embarrassing his district on a daily basis, or for any of women he's abused if the sex trafficking accusations against him are true any time soon.
