Former Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.) said she feels “betrayed” after reports surfaced that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) was under investigation by the Department of Justice for allegations of sex with a minor and sex trafficking violations.
Gaetz, a vocal ally of former President Trump, defended Hill in 2019 after explicit photos were leaked to the press without her permission. Hill blamed the leak on her estranged husband.
“Who among us would look perfect if every ex leaked every photo/text? Katie isn’t being investigated by Ethics or maligned because she hurt anyone — it is because she is different,” Gaetz tweeted at the time.
Hill identifies as bisexual.
In 2019, the former California representative was also under investigation in the House over an alleged extramarital affair with an office staffer. Hill denied having an affair.
Hill later resigned from her seat in Congress.
During an interview with MSNBC host Chris Hayes on Thursday night, Hill said that she and Gaetz became friends because they served on the House Armed Services Committee and were about the same age.
Hill stated that amid the allegations and leaks that she faced during her time in the House, he stood up for her.
“When it really mattered, when I was feeling particularly abandoned by the people within my own party, and when I felt just betrayed and alone and disgusted and … disgusted with myself, it matters a lot that somebody stands up for you.”
But now, she said, amid “all of this coming out” about the Florida Republican, she feels “betrayed.”
“I feel betrayed by him,” Hill said to Hayes. “And I have to wonder about his motivations for defending me in the first place.”
The Department of Justice is investigating Gaetz over allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and paid for the girl to travel with him.
Gaetz has denied all the allegations against him.
“He should resign immediately,” Hill said. “The Ethics Committee should open an investigation immediately and for some reason they haven’t, when they opened one on me based on a tweet or a Facebook post from my bitter ex-husband.”
Hill added that she believes there is a double standard between how women and men are treated during accusations.
“It is horrifying that this is the reality we are looking at for women who are running for office as compared to men who, honestly, Gaetz could probably get indicted and run for reelection and still win,” Hill said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has also called for the House Ethics Committee to investigate Gaetz, adding that if the accusations prove to be true, Gaetz would face criminal charges outside of Congress.