By Trendsetter Tribune 
WASHINGTON — In a move that has intensified the internal civil war within the House GOP, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) officially demanded the immediate resignation of Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) on Monday, February 23, 2026. The demand follows the explosive release of explicit, late-night text messages allegedly sent by Gonzales to a staffer who later died by suicide.
Boebert, a vocal critic of the Texan representative whom she frequently derides as “Open Borders Tony,” characterized the conduct as a “disgusting” abuse of power that has “no place in Congress.”
The Scandal: Explicit Texts and a Tragic Death
The controversy erupted after screenshots of text messages between Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles, a former aide who died after setting herself on fire last year, were made public.
- The Allegations: The messages reportedly show Gonzales “drunkenly coercing” the staffer into explicit conversations, pressing her for “sexy pics,” and asking detailed, inappropriate questions about her sexual preferences.
- The Defense: Boebert claimed the texts show a “vulnerable staffer” repeatedly pushing back against the advances of her “perverted boss.”
- The Outcome: Santos-Aviles’s tragic death has now become a central point of the investigation, with critics questioning the role the alleged workplace harassment played in her mental health decline.
Boebert’s “Torching” Statement
In a text message sent to reporters and later amplified on social media, Boebert did not hold back in her condemnation of her Republican colleague.
“Tony Gonzales should be ashamed and RESIGN IMMEDIATELY. Liars and cheaters aren’t my favorite, and this kind of abuse of power has no place anywhere, let alone in Congress. America deserves better.” — Rep. Lauren Boebert, Feb 23, 2026
A Growing Chorus of GOP Opposition
Boebert is not alone in her calls for Gonzales to step down or end his 2026 reelection bid. She is joined by several other “America First” Republicans who have long clashed with the more moderate Texan.
| Lawmaker | Stance / Reaction |
| Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) | Called the texts “really disgusting” and argued the entire Texas delegation should condemn the behavior as a “dishonor” to the House. |
| Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) | Joined the call for resignation, citing the need for “moral clarity” within the Republican caucus. |
| Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) | Urged Gonzales to “drop out of the race” for his South Texas seat, stating that “America deserves better.” |
| Speaker Mike Johnson | Has remained largely silent, as a resignation would shrink the GOP’s already razor-thin one-seat majority to zero. |
Impact on the 2026 Midterms
The scandal has provided significant ammunition to Brandon Herrera, a Second Amendment activist and YouTuber who is challenging Gonzales in a contentious GOP primary. Herrera has already demanded that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) withdraw its financial support from the incumbent.
While some GOP leaders are hesitant to push for a resignation that would imperil their majority, the “Boebert-led” faction argues that protecting a “perverted boss” is a greater risk to the party’s brand ahead of the November elections.