Sex Trafficking Probe Mentioned After Matt Gaetz

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz said Wednesday that he's being investigated for possible financial impropriety after calling two Democratic congresswomen "oily" and "shrill." One woman was reportedly a victim of sex trafficking.

Sex trafficking probe mentioned after Matt Gaetz makes ‘odious women’ jibe

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) launched an investigation into sex trafficking earlier this year. Now, the case may involve Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz — who called Democrats “odious women” for their responses on impeaching President Donald Trump.

Gaetz tweeted his comments about House Democratic leadership on Friday, July 26th, along with some memes mocking Democrats for their impeachment rhetoric. “Worth noting, @House Democrats have been trying to impeach the president since before he was inaugurated,” Gaetz wrote, along with the hash tag Shameless Women.

In regards to the FDLE investigation, Gaetz said, “I would encourage you all to check out the story and give me a shout if anything weird comes up… I actually think there’s going to be a connection between this and the money laundering/sex trafficking/whatever-you-want-to-call-it investigation involving Aram is Ayala and her cronies.”

Ayala appointed former state Sen. Nan Rich to head her office in 2016. Rich resigned in 2017 amid allegations she took bribes while serving in Tallahassee, according to Politico.

New York City mayor says Republicans want to cut off access to abortion clinics

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week that Republicans in Congress were working to end sexual and reproductive rights in order to stop abortions. His comments came after Senate Republicans passed a bill that would require doctors performing abortions to get admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

Supreme Court justices weigh in on the legality of same-sex marriage

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday in Masterpiece Cake shop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. In the case, baker Jack Phillips refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple citing religious beliefs.

Last month, the commission ruled that Phillips had violated the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act by refusing service to David Mullins and Charlie Craig based on their sexual orientation. The court could rule on whether businesses should be allowed to refuse services to LGBTQ individuals later this summer.

The justices grappled over what constitutes discrimination under anti-discrimination laws, how those laws apply to business owners and whether public accommodations can refuse to serve customers on religious grounds. Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, said that the government cannot compel someone to participate in a wedding ceremony.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg argued that Phillips acted out of bigotry rather than religion. She noted that he never objected to making cakes for straight couples.