A post shared on social media purports that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis can fill the House of Representatives vacancy of Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Verdict: False
The seat must be filled by a special election process.
Fact Check:
The House Ethics Committee did not reach a decision on whether to release the investigation into the allegations made against Gaetz, several Senate members stated they want to review the report, NBC News reported. Sexual misconduct allegations were made against Geatz, who was recently announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, according to the outlet.
A post shared on X, formerly known Twitter, purports that DeSantis is prepared to replace Gaetz’s vacant seat. The claim was made in a response tweet.
The post reads, “Gaetz resigned immediately so Gov. DeSantis can fill the seat by Jan 3. Johnson has already placed a call w/ DeSantis. Clock starts.”
The claim is inaccurate. A vacancy in the House of Representatives must be filled by a special election. The 17thAmendment allows the Governors to temporarily fill Senate vacancy until a special election can occur.
DeSantis is instructing the start of a special election process, which has “no timeline,” to fill Gaetz’s seat since he resigned, Wear News reported.
DeSantis is considering a replacement for Marco Rubio, Fox News reported. Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump has been speculated as a potential replacement. (RELATED: Is Trump Set To Make Great Britain A State?)
This is not the first time misinformation surrounding Trump’s picks has circulated online. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim Elon Musk said that Trump will do anything he tells him to.