A Florida woman was arrested for assaulting state Rep. Matt Gaetz during a private event last month, according to reports.
41-year-old Selena J. Chambers, a registered Democrat from Tallahassee, was apprehended by Walton County officers and charged with one count of battery on an elected official, as well as one count of battery for touching or striking.
Chambers, who is a self-proclaimed member of the so-called “Resistance,” reportedly attacked Gaetz and his wife during a private event in Sandestin.
BREAKING: Tallahassee Woman Arrested and Charged with Assaulting Congressman Matt Gaetz on Saturday Evening, Gaetz Issues Statement in Response
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) May 2, 2023
“I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be compromised. I will be pressing charges against this individual in order… pic.twitter.com/lXccJypznU
“I will never allow the safety of Northwest Floridians to be [compromised.] I will be pressing charges against this individual in order to uphold the civility our community deserves. Thank you to the Walton County Sheriff’s office for taking swift action,” the congressman tweeted of the incident.
The “Resistance” is an extreme liberal political movement that began in the country in November 2016 to oppose then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign. It changed over time to include everyone who opposed former President Trump, including Independents and Democrats. Its members were well recognized for using Twitter frequently.
The story received wild responses on social media, with many encouraging Gaetz to file heavier charges against his attacker.
“Make sure you have her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” one Twitter user wrote. “Don’t let anything slide Matt as some prosecutors like to do … No slap on the wrist.”
“Good for you, Matt. So glad you’re pressing charges,” tweeted another. “This is why Florida is so much more civilized than my state of California.”
This isn’t the first time that Gaetz has been threatened, though. Last August, a Florida man attempted to extort the state Republican’s family.
According to court documents, Stephen Alford planned to approach Gaetz about saving him from an ongoing investigation into the potential sex trafficking of a minor. In return, Gaetz’s father — state Senate President Don Gaetz — would put $25 million towards freeing CIA operative Robert Levinson, who was held hostage by the Iranian government for 15 years.
Gaetz has continued to deny any allegations that he trafficked a 17-year-old girl, which were first made by his former business associate, Joel Greenberg.
