Speaker Johnson tells Rep. Tony Gonzales to address affair allegations but says he shouldn’t resign
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- House Speaker Mike Johnson is resisting calls, including from some Republicans, to pressure Rep. Tony Gonzales to resign amid allegations of an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, stating investigations must conclude first.
- Johnson acknowledged the seriousness of the accusations and has urged Gonzales to address them with his constituents, but emphasized the need to let ongoing investigations in Texas and by the Office of Congressional Conduct play out.
- Gonzales denies the affair and claims he is being blackmailed, though new text messages provided to CNN show him sending lewd messages to the staffer, including requests for explicit photos.
- Some GOP members, including Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, have called for Gonzales to resign or drop
