Rockford Sun

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Rockford) is coming under heavy criticism after taking to social media to call for Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Santa Rosa) to resign from office amid a still-unfolding sex trafficking investigation.

“Matt Gaetz needs to resign,” Kinzinger posted on Twitter alongside a link to a Daily Beast story delving into the allegations thus far levied against him.

In the article, Gaetz was linked to associate Joel Greenburg, who has already been formally charged with sex trafficking charges that include claims Gaetz once sent him two late-night Venmo payments in 2018 that ultimately ended up in the hands of three young women with ties to the former Seminole County tax collector.

Formal court documents now refer to “sugar daddy” type relationships Greenburg was involved in with several different women. While the Justice Department is now reported to have launched a formal investigation into Gaetz’s potential role in the growing scandal, the veteran lawmaker has proclaimed his innocence and insists he looks forward to the truth ultimately coming to light.

Meanwhile, Kinzinger is being accused of jumping-the-gun in calling for Gaetz to step down, something critics insist is similar to the approach he took in casting a vote in favor of the impeachment of former President Donald Trump.

In the aftermath, members of the Winnebago County Republicans executive committee moved to censure him over his actions. Later members of the LaSalle County executive voted to follow suit.