Gaetz says Rittenhouse would make ‘great’ intern

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager currently on trial for fatally shooting two people in Kenosha, Wis., would make a “great” intern, in an appearance on Newsmax. 

As of Thursday morning, the jury was still deliberating in the case against Rittenhouse, who is facing numerous charges related to the shootings, with his lawyers arguing the then-17-year-old acted in self-defense. 

“He is not guilty and deserves a not guilty verdict,” Gaetz stated Wednesday. “You know what, Kyle Rittenhouse would probably make a pretty good Congressional intern. We might reach out to him and see if he be interested in helping the country in additional ways.”

In a tweet, Gaetz added: “In fact, he’d make a great Congressional Intern.”

Kyle Rittenhouse is not guilty and deserves a not guilty verdict.

In fact, he’d make a great Congressional Intern. https://t.co/WcldfhfdIx pic.twitter.com/GwaLBFJ5Hi

— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) November 18, 2021

Rittenhouse killed Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber at protests that were sparked by the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police. He also shot and injured a third person. 

Taking the stand at his trial, Rittenhouse claimed the men were attacking him and that he acted in self-defense. The prosecution argues that he provoked the protesters by showing up heavily armed to a volatile protest.

The jury entered deliberations on Tuesday to decide if Rittenhouse was justified in his actions. 

Updated at 12:22 p.m. to correct description of Jacob Blake’s shooting.