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Former GOP Congressman Madison Cawthorn arrested [1]
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Date: 2025-09-13
Ready for a blast from the past?
Several days ago…
Former North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn is in trouble with the law once again, but this time in Florida. Cawthorn, 30, who now calls Cape Coral, Florida, home, was taken into custody in Lee County on Sept. 10. The same day, Collier County Judge Deborah Cunningham issued a bench warrant for his arrest when Cawthorn did not appear for his arraignment.
He’s since been released on bond.
Cawthorn has racked up a few charges over the years:
In North Carolina, he racked up multiple traffic violations and gun charges over the years: Dec. 8, 2017 - driving while license revoked (criminal misdemeanor), Buncombe County, dismissed. (charge preceded Cawthorn's election to Congress.)
Oct. 18, 2021 - speeding, 89 mph in a 65-mph zone, Buncombe County, consented to a finding of responsibility for improper equipment. Paid $266 in fines and fees.
Jan. 8, 2022 - speeding, 87 mph in a 70 mph zone, Polk County, pleaded to 79 mph on Feb. 2, 2023. (Fines estimated at $202.)
March 3, 2022 - driving while license revoked (criminal misdemeanor), Cleveland County, dismissed.
April 22, 2022 - carrying loaded gun on city property (criminal misdemeanor), Charlotte Douglas International Airport, fined $250 and did not have to forfeit the gun on May 5, 2023.
In case the name Cawthorn doesn’t ring any bells, the Wikipedia entry gives the details of his one term in Congress. He’s a full-on conspiracy theorist, bomb-thrower — a typical modern MAGA Republican in other words.
He didn’t do his own party any favors when he came out with this:
In a March 2022 interview, Cawthorn talked about "the sexual perversion that goes on in Washington" and said he had been invited to an orgy by an unnamed lawmaker. He also claimed that prominent Washington figures had used cocaine in front of him.[90] In a closed-door meeting, multiple House Republicans complained about his comments.[91] Members of the Freedom Caucus considered ejecting Cawthorn from its membership.[92] House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Minority Whip Steve Scalise then met with Cawthorn.[91]McCarthy later told reporters that Cawthorn had admitted his claims were exaggerated or untrue: "He changes what he tells and that's not becoming of a congressman. He did not tell the truth [and] that's unacceptable." McCarthy said he had told Cawthorn that "He's lost my trust. He's going to have to earn it back."[93]
His governing strategy was this:
The Washington Post reported that during his candidacy and time in Congress, Cawthorn became known for incendiary rhetoric and for promulgating conspiracy theories.[10] He had said he intended to use his position to be a messenger rather than a legislator, writing to his colleagues, "I have built my staff around comms rather than legislation."[67] Cawthorn subsequently closed all but one district office.[68]
The Wikipedia entry gives a list of the controversies around him, from sexual misconduct and questionable financial dealings, up to this most recent arrest, reporting he has been released on a $2,000 bond.
Where Cawthorn goes from here is not clear, but he certainly embodies the Republican nihilist MAGA vibe.
So the question that comes to mind is this. Are Republicans not sending us their best people — or is this the best they can send?
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