Gonzales officially resigned from Congress today over accusations he had an inappropriate sexual relationship with an aide who later set herself on fire and killed herself, according to multiple reports. A second, much older aide came forward last week to reveal that Gonzales sent her sexually explicit text messages and badgered her for nude photos in 2020, the Daily Mail reported based on an anonymous source. The Daily Mail also reported, based on an anonymous source, that Gonzales asked this second staffer for naked photos in the days before and after his wife gave birth to their child.
Text messages verified by the Daily Mail as coming from Gonzales' personal cell phone number show that on June 15, 2020, when his wife was approaching her due date, he sent the aide texts telling her to squeeze his balls and asking what kind of panties she wore to bed. Angel Gonzales gave birth to a girl, the couple's fourth child and Gonzales' sixth, sometime between late June and early July 2020, multiple reports indicate. On July 20, 2020, just weeks after the birth, according to the Daily Mail, Gonzales texted the aide a graphic sexual fantasy. According to the Daily Mail, an anonymous Gonzales employee noted that even the birth of his child did not stop him.
The anonymous staffer worked as Gonzales' political director during his 2020 congressional campaign after a career in the military as an Army officer, multiple reports indicate. This scandal follows another involving a different aide, Regina Aviles. Gonzales initially denied that he had an affair with his late staffer, Regina Aviles, who died by self-immolation in September, but he admitted to the affair one day after his primary race on Tuesday, calling it a 'mistake' and a 'lapse in judgement', according to multiple reports. The full details and timeline of that affair remain unclear.
Political fallout has been swift and bipartisan. Gonzales was forced to drop out of a closely contested primary in his border district last month under bipartisan pressure from House members, multiple reports indicate. Both Democrats and Republicans have called on Gonzales to resign, or at a minimum, drop his bid for reelection. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that leadership has asked Congressman Gonzales to withdraw from his race for re-election. Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace accused Gonzales of harassing his own staffer in the middle of the night and called on him to resign immediately. The extent of bipartisan pressure and which specific members beyond leadership were involved is not fully detailed.
Congressional investigations are underway. The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Gonzales' conduct following a report from the Office of Congressional Conduct indicating 'substantial reason to believe' Gonzales was embroiled in the affair, according to multiple reports. It is against congressional rules for a member to have an affair with a subordinate. Speaker Johnson, when asked about the investigation, said that it is being addressed by the Ethics Committee and the OCC, and he emphasized letting processes play out. The specific evidence or findings the House Ethics Committee has uncovered have not been made public, and potential legal or congressional consequences beyond resignation remain uncertain. Gonzales, in a press conference, stated that he has asked God for forgiveness, while Speaker Johnson commented that he told Gonzales to be forthright.