One simple way to know Matt Gaetz is full of shit.

In case you missed it, Rep. Matt Gaetz is under investigation for child sex trafficking, because of course he is. Why wouldn’t Matt Gaetz, the only member of Congress to vote against child sex trafficking laws… be involved.

Let’s just restate that: This was a layup of a bill he voted against. Every single other member of Congress was against child sex trafficking. Except Matt Gaetz. Now, less than four years later, he’s wrapped up. That’s better than the cocaine he’s getting from South Florida, because my gawd he’s deeply fucked.

Here’s how you know it’s all true: Because the DOJ hasn’t said anything in response. In fact, they issued a non-response. They issued a classic “we can’t confirm or deny” statement when reached for a comment. If this was truly all just a made up event, and the 17 year old didn’t exist, and it was just an elaborate extortion attempt, and everything about this story was false, and his dad really was wearing a wire in order to protect his son… the FBI would have come to his defense.

In fact, not coming to his defense would be seen as a negative, because it’s Biden’s DOJ, currently. (Even though this investigation began under Barr, with Trump’s administration.) The DOJ isn’t rushing to kill this story, and they’re not defending him. If this was all one big nothing-burger, then the DOJ would have an immediate responsibility to kill the story, and any doubt about his guilt, otherwise they’d be tacitly smearing a member of Congress with their silence.

That’s not happening. The FBI is declining to comment about an ongoing investigation. Why? Because he is in fact under investigation, and I do believe the child involved (who is a child, not a woman, because she’s 17) may have family members who attempted to extort Matt Gaetz. It would make perfect sense for someone with that kind of leverage to try to squeeze some money out of a sitting member of Congress who has been engaging in sex with a child. (Which… we don’t know, but things don’t look good for Gaetz right now.)

Oh, and while we’re here, since there are trigger warnings everywhere: It’s statutory rape. Children can’t consent. So there’s that.

Matt Gaetz, please join (former) Rep. Dennis Hastert as the next member of the GOP who can’t figure out that children are not for sex. Thanks for playing. You’re about to be in prison.