Gohmert Claps Back After $5K Metal Detector Fine

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert was fined $5,000 this week for “evading” metal detectors while entering the House floor inside the U.S. Capitol Building, according to a number of reports.

The Democrat-controlled House this week installed new rules for House members who refuse to go through metal detectors, with some members even recently claiming they were “afraid” of their workplace and their colleagues.

Now Gohmert has responded to the case, his full statement below:

“This should come as no surprise, but Democrats are making up the rules as they go.

“For weeks, I have complied with Speaker Pelosi’s unconstitutional metal detector policy.

“Yesterday, after complying with the metal detector screening, I was allowed to enter the House session where debate was occurring. Knowing that I would soon be giving a speech, I stepped off the House floor to use the restroom right beside the Speaker’s lobby as I have done many times since the metal detectors have been installed.

“At no time until yesterday did anyone mention the need to be wanded after entering the restroom directly in front of the guards. The three main entrances have metal detectors, but the House floor entrance from the Speakers’ Lobby does not. Originally I had gone around the metal detectors a few times until it was mandated. I have been complying for weeks since.

“I explained to the Capitol Police officer that I had never been required to be screened again from the restroom immediately by the House floor since the metal detectors had been in place at the other doors. I said they had witnessed me walk the few feet to the men’s room, enter and take the few steps back. No one ever mentioned or made that a requirement until yesterday.

“Unlike in the movie The Godfather, there are no toilets with tanks where one could hide a gun, so my reentry onto the House floor should have been a non-issue.

“Since I had been complying with the metal detector requirement despite the Constitutional issue, I was surprised to receive a notice today stating that I had not complied with their policy and that I would be fined $5,000.

“I will be appealing the fine and taking whatever action is necessary, especially considering this policy is unconstitutional.

“Article 1, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution contains specific language prohibiting Members of Congress from being detained on the way to or from a session of the House.

“This fine has nothing to do with following the rules and everything to do with furthering the Democrats’ never ending scheme to demonize and punish their political opponents.

“Nonetheless, I have been trying to comply, but it gets difficult to do so when Democrats keep changing the rules and their enforcement.”

Some might argue that representatives who feel so scared of their colleagues that they would prefer to impede Members of the House or Senate and therefore potentially delay legislative sessions should probably not be there in the first place.