Since being elected late last year, House Speaker Mike Johnson has struggled to preside over a deeply divided Republican majority.

Those simmering divisions exploded this past weekend as one GOP member accused another of sex crimes against children. 

Congressman says Matt Gaetz paid minors for sex

According to the Daily Mail, that allegation was put forward on Sunday by Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales as he spoke with CNN host Dana Bash.

🔥GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales: “I serve with some real scumbags. Matt Gaetz, he paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties.”
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— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) April 21, 2024

"It's an absolute honor to be in Congress, but I serve with some real scumbags," Gonzales told Bash before asserting that Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz "paid minors to have sex with him at drug parties."

"Wow. Okay," a visibly surprised Dash replied. "I should say that the federal government did look into Matt Gaetz and those allegations and they decided not to prosecute."

DOJ brought no charges against Gaetz following investigation

CNN reported last year that that the Department of Justice (DOJ) decided not to bring charges against Gaetz after it wrapped up a multi-year sex trafficking investigation.

Attorneys Marc Mukasey and Isabelle Kirshner represent Gaetz, and they put out a statement highlighting the DOJ's decision.

"We have just spoken with the DOJ and have been informed that they have concluded their investigation into Congressman Gaetz and allegations related to sex trafficking and obstruction of justice and they have determined not to bring any charges against him," it read.

The DOJ also opted not to charge Dr. Jason Pirozzolo, who was an associate of Gaetz. His lawyer said, "Today we were informed by the Department of Justice that it is ending its investigation… Dr. Pirozzolo requests that he and his family’s privacy be respected as the last few years have been extremely difficult to endure."

Gonzales accuses primary challenger of being a "neo-Nazi"

In addition to going after Gaetz, Gonzales also took aim at Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Good for endorsing his primary challenger, YouTube personality Brandon Herrera.

"Bob Good endorsed my opponent, a known neo-Nazi. These people used to walk around with white hoods at night, now they are walking around with white hoods in the daytime," Gonzales declared.

Herrera shot back with a social media post, stating, "This is the death spiral ladies and gentlemen. He has to cry to his liberal friends about me, because Republicans won’t listen anymore."