History of Paul Gosar in Timeline
Paul Anthony Gosar is a far-right American politician and dentist representing Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for his controversial views, Gosar has sparked criticism for his support of conspiracy theories, extreme stance against abortion and contraception, alleged links to Holocaust deniers, and purported ties to far-right extremist groups. His political career includes representing Arizona's 1st, 4th, and currently, the 9th congressional district.
November 27, 1958: Paul Gosar's Birth
Paul Anthony Gosar was born on November 27, 1958, in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
1974: Teruo Nakamura Discovered on Morotai Island
In 1974, Teruo Nakamura, a soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army, was discovered on the remote island of Morotai, decades after World War II had ended. Nakamura, who had refused to believe Japan's surrender, lived in isolation for nearly 30 years, highlighting the enduring impact of war and the complexities of belief and surrender.
1977: Graduation from Pinedale High School
Paul Gosar graduated from Pinedale High School in 1977.
1981: Earns B.S. Degree from Creighton University
Paul Gosar received his B.S. degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1981.
1985: Earns D.D.S. from Boyne School of Dentistry
In 1985, Paul Gosar earned his D.D.S. from the Boyne School of Dentistry at Creighton University.
1989: Starts Dentistry Practice in Flagstaff
Paul Gosar began his dentistry practice in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1989.
2001: Named Arizona Dental Association's "Dentist of the Year"
Paul Gosar was named the Arizona Dental Association's "Dentist of the Year" in 2001.
2002: Gosar Votes to Repeal 2002 Iraq War Authorization
In June 2021, Gosar joined 49 other House Republicans in voting to repeal the 2002 authorization for the Iraq War.
2004: Serves as President of the Arizona Dental Association
Paul Gosar served as president of the Arizona Dental Association from 2004 to 2005.
2005: Ends Term as President of the Arizona Dental Association
Paul Gosar's term as president of the Arizona Dental Association ended in 2005.
2009: Announces Candidacy for the 1st Congressional District
Paul Gosar, who had never held elected office before, announced his candidacy for the 1st congressional district in 2009. He challenged Democratic incumbent Ann Kirkpatrick in the 2010 election.
November 2010: Defeats Ann Kirkpatrick in the General Election
Paul Gosar defeated Ann Kirkpatrick in the November 2010 general election with 49.7% of the vote.
2010: Elected to Represent Arizona's 1st Congressional District
In 2010, Paul Gosar was elected to represent Arizona's 1st congressional district.
2010: Ends Dentistry Practice
Paul Gosar ended his dentistry practice in Flagstaff in 2010.
2010: Pete Gosar Runs for Governor of Wyoming
Paul Gosar's brother, Pete, ran for governor of Wyoming in 2010.
January 2012: Announces Candidacy for the Newly Created 4th District
Paul Gosar announced his candidacy for the newly created 4th district in January 2012 after initially planning to seek reelection in the 1st district.
May 2012: Babeu Withdraws from the Race
Paul Gosar's opponent in the Republican primary, Babeu, withdrew from the race in May 2012 due to allegations of abuse of power.
2013: Begins Representing Arizona's 4th Congressional District
Paul Gosar began representing Arizona's 4th congressional district in 2013.
April 2014: Gosar Joins Bundy Standoff
In April 2014, Gosar joined a group of conservative Arizona state legislators at the Bundy Standoff, a tense confrontation in Bunkerville, Nevada. The standoff involved individuals resisting grazing fees on federal land and their supporters, who took up arms against the Bureau of Land Management and law enforcement. The situation de-escalated when federal authorities decided against further intervention.
December 2014: Gosar Sparks Controversy with Comments About Native Americans
In December 2014, Paul Gosar sparked controversy when he referred to Native Americans as "wards of the federal government" during a discussion about a land swap proposal that would impact the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. His comments drew criticism, with some calling it "race baiting," but a spokesperson for Gosar said his words were misinterpreted.
2014: Pete Gosar Runs for Governor of Wyoming Again
Paul Gosar's brother, Pete, ran for governor of Wyoming again in 2014.
2014: Wins Reelection Against Mikel Weisser
Paul Gosar won reelection in the 2014 midterm elections with 70% of the vote against Democratic nominee Mikel Weisser.
September 2015: Gosar Files Articles of Impeachment Against EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy
In September 2015, Gosar took the step of filing articles of impeachment against Gina McCarthy, the EPA administrator at the time. He accused her of "high crimes and misdemeanors," alleging that she had misled the American public to impose unjustified and excessive regulations lacking scientific backing.
September 17, 2015: Gosar Announces He Will Not Attend Pope Francis's Address to Congress
On September 17, 2015, Paul Gosar publicly declared his decision to boycott Pope Francis's address to Congress. He justified his stance by stating the Pope should focus on issues like "violent Islam" and Planned Parenthood instead of climate change, which he dismissed as "questionable."
2015: Gosar Receives Low Score on Environmental Scorecard
Gosar received a low score of 3% on the League of Conservation Voters' National Environmental Scorecard in 2015, partly because of his stance as a global warming denier.
2015: Gosar Boycotts Pope Francis's Congressional Address
In 2015, Paul Gosar, a Catholic, boycotted Pope Francis's address to Congress. He justified his absence by stating that he believed the Pope's papacy contradicted Christian values.
2015: Gosar Opposes Land Swap Proposal and National Defense Authorization Act
In 2015, a proposal was attached to the National Defense Authorization Act to swap land in Arizona, including land considered sacred by the Apache people, to Resolution Copper Mine. This proposal was met with opposition.
2015: Photoshopped Image Used in Ron Johnson Ad
The same photoshopped image of Obama and Rouhani that Paul Gosar tweeted in 2020 was used in a 2015 TV ad for Senator Ron Johnson.
January 2016: Proposes Legislation to Revoke Bill Cosby's Medal of Freedom
In January 2016, Paul Gosar proposed legislation to revoke Bill Cosby's Presidential Medal of Freedom after Cosby admitted to drugging women. The proposal did not pass.
2016: Wins Reelection Against Mikel Weisser
Paul Gosar was reelected in 2016 with 71% of the vote, defeating Mikel Weisser again.
January 30, 2017: Gosar Introduces Bill to Allow Drilling in National Parks
On January 30, 2017, Gosar introduced a bill aiming to remove the National Park Service's authority to prevent private drilling for oil, gas, and minerals in 40 U.S. National Parks, even if it posed environmental threats.
October 2017: Gosar's Comments on Charlottesville Rally Draw Criticism from Family
In October 2017, Paul Gosar suggested that the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville was "created by the left" and insinuated that organizer Jason Kessler might have been backed by George Soros. Seven of Gosar's siblings publicly denounced his statements, calling them "despicable slander" and an "anti-semitic dog whistle."
2017: Gosar Votes for Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Faces Criticism for Infrastructure Bill Stance
In 2017, Paul Gosar voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, he drew criticism for highlighting funding for Kingman Airport from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act despite having voted against the final bill.
February 2018: Gosar Alleges Treason, Calls for Prosecution Based on Nunes Memo
In February 2018, Paul Gosar publicly asserted that the Nunes memo, which alleged misconduct by the FBI, presented "clear and convincing evidence" of treason by specific individuals within the agency, including former FBI Director James Comey. Gosar called for criminal prosecution against these individuals.
May 2018: Gosar Accuses Immigration Lawyers of Aiding Crimes
In May 2018, Gosar made controversial remarks by accusing immigration lawyers who provided legal guidance to undocumented immigrants of being complicit in criminal activity. He asserted that those assisting undocumented immigrants were essentially aiding a crime and advocated for their prosecution.
July 2018: Gosar Supports Tommy Robinson, Emphasizing Free Speech
In July 2018, Paul Gosar showed his support for Tommy Robinson, a prominent anti-Islam activist, by speaking at a rally in London. During his speech, Gosar emphasized the importance of protecting the right to free speech.
September 2018: Six of Gosar's Siblings Endorse His Opponent
In September 2018, six of Paul Gosar's nine siblings publicly endorsed his Democratic opponent, David Brill, in a series of television campaign ads.
November 14, 2018: Gosar Invites Tommy Robinson to Speak at Conservative Event
In November 2018, Paul Gosar joined six other congressmen in inviting Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League and a controversial anti-Islam activist, to speak at an event hosted by the Conservative Opportunity Society. This invitation came after Gosar spoke at a rally in support of Robinson in London earlier that year.
November 2018: Defeats David Brill in the General Election
Paul Gosar defeated David Brill in the November 2018 general election with 68.2% of the vote.
2018: Gosar's Siblings Publicly Oppose His Re-election
In 2018, six of Paul Gosar's siblings took the unusual step of appearing in political ads supporting his opponent, David Brill. They expressed concerns that Paul was not representing his constituents effectively and distanced themselves from his political ideology.
2018: Six Siblings Endorse Opponent Again
Six of Paul Gosar's siblings endorsed his opponent in the election.
2019: Steve King Removed from Committees for Defending White Nationalism
In 2019, former Representative Steve King faced consequences for his public defense of white nationalism, leading to his removal from congressional committee seats. This event highlighted the growing concern and condemnation of extremist views within the political sphere.
2019: Gosar Supports Steve King's Reinstatement to House Committees
In 2019, Paul Gosar advocated for the reinstatement of Representative Steve King to the House committees he was removed from due to a series of racist remarks. Gosar defended King, stating that he agreed with King's claim that his words were taken out of context.
2019: Gosar Votes Against Condemning Trump's Syria Withdrawal
In 2019, Gosar was one of 60 representatives who opposed a resolution to condemn President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.
2019: Gosar Votes Against Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act
Gosar voted against the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, which proposed changes to immigration law to remove per-country limitations on employment-based green cards, raise limits for family-based green cards, and other immigration-related modifications.
2019: Gosar Co-Signs Letter Urging Trump to Reduce Use of Force Without Congressional Authorization
In 2019, Gosar was among the signatories of a letter urging then-President Trump to limit the use of military force without obtaining congressional approval.
January 6, 2020: Tweets Doctored Photo of Obama and Rouhani
On January 6, 2020, Paul Gosar tweeted a doctored photo of former President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, claiming "The world is a better place without these guys in power." The image was photoshopped.
June 2020: Gosar Voices Support for Morocco's Position on Western Sahara
Gosar expressed his support for Morocco's stance on the Western Sahara conflict in June 2020, encouraging the Trump administration to align with this position.
December 9, 2020: Gosar Co-Sponsors Break Up Big Tech Act
On December 9, 2020, Paul Gosar showed his support for the Break Up Big Tech Act of 2020 by co-sponsoring it. This act, introduced by Tulsi Gabbard, aimed to hold computer service providers accountable for censoring users, particularly those acting as publishers, by removing Section 230 legal immunity.
2020: Gosar Introduces Bill to Feature Trump on $500 Bill
In 2020, Gosar put forward a bill proposing the Federal Reserve to recommence the issuance of $500 bills, with a new design featuring former President Donald Trump's portrait.
2020: Gosar Challenges 2020 Election Results
In 2020, following the presidential election, Paul Gosar joined a group of Republican lawmakers in challenging the election results. He made numerous false claims about voter fraud, including allegations of faulty voting machines, intentional vote manipulation, and deceased individuals casting ballots. Gosar's actions, widely disputed and lacking evidence, contributed to the spread of misinformation and sowed doubt about the integrity of the electoral process.
2020: Votes to Overturn the 2020 Presidential Election Results
Paul Gosar voted to overturn the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
2020: Gosar Votes Against National Defense Authorization Act Restricting Troop Withdrawals from Afghanistan
In 2020, Gosar opposed the National Defense Authorization Act for 2021, which aimed to prevent the president from withdrawing troops from Afghanistan without congressional authorization.
2020: Gosar Votes Against Increasing H-2B Visas
Gosar opposed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, which would have authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remaining fiscal year 2020.
January 6, 2021: Gosar and Cruz Challenge Arizona's Electoral Votes
On January 6, 2021, during the joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College votes, Paul Gosar and Senator Ted Cruz took center stage in challenging Arizona's electoral results. Their actions, part of a broader effort to overturn the presidential election, added fuel to the fire of discontent among those who believed the election was stolen. This event ultimately culminated in the violent storming of the U.S. Capitol.
January 2021: Gosar's Ties to Proud Boys and Oath Keepers Scrutinized
In January 2021, The New York Times published a detailed report on Paul Gosar's connections to extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, including his attendance at one of their meetings. The report raised concerns about Gosar's views and his alleged statement about a looming civil war.
February 2021: Gosar Speaks at America First Political Action Conference
In February 2021, Paul Gosar participated as a speaker at the second annual America First Political Action Conference. The event was hosted by Nick Fuentes, a figure known for his white nationalist views. This appearance further fueled criticisms of Gosar's associations and beliefs.
February 26, 2021: Gosar Delivers Keynote at America First Conference
On February 26, 2021, Paul Gosar delivered the keynote speech at the America First Political Action Conference, hosted by white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes, known for his extremist views, including support for the Capitol attack, racial segregation, and Holocaust denial, sparked controversy with his involvement. Gosar's presence at the event alongside former Representative Steve King, who had been removed from committees for defending white nationalism in 2019, drew further criticism. While Gosar later distanced himself from Fuentes's extremist views, his participation in the event raised concerns about his association with such ideologies.
June 2021: Gosar Votes Against Congressional Gold Medal for Capitol Police
In June 2021, Paul Gosar was among 21 House Republicans who voted against a resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the police officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 attack. This decision, seen by many as disrespectful and out of touch with the gravity of the event, further fueled criticism of Gosar's actions and stance on the Capitol riot.
June 2021: Gosar's Association with Nick Fuentes Sparks Controversy
In June 2021, Paul Gosar faced criticism when fliers circulated online promoting a fundraiser featuring him alongside white nationalist Nick Fuentes. While initially appearing to defend the event, Gosar ultimately denied any intention to attend.
June 2021: Gosar Votes to Repeal 2002 Iraq War Authorization
In June 2021, Gosar joined 49 other House Republicans in voting to repeal the 2002 authorization for the Iraq War.
September 2021: Gosar Opposes National Defense Authorization Act Including Women in Draft
In September 2021, Gosar was among 75 House Republicans who voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for 2022, specifically taking issue with a provision that would have required women to register for the military draft.
November 2021: Gosar Hires Wade Searle as Digital Director
In November 2021, Paul Gosar employed Wade Searle, first temporarily and then as his digital director. Searle is known for his association with Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist leader, and for running white supremacist accounts that have shared anti-semitic conspiracy theories.
November 2021: Gosar Posts Controversial Anime Video
In November 2021, Paul Gosar ignited a firestorm of controversy by posting an animated video on social media that depicted him killing Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and attacking President Joe Biden. The video, edited from the anime series "Attack on Titan," sparked widespread condemnation, with many interpreting it as a threat of violence. Despite defending it as "entertaining" and not a threat, Gosar faced severe repercussions for his actions.
November 2021: Censured by the U.S. House of Representatives
In November 2021, Paul Gosar was censured by the U.S. House of Representatives and stripped of his committee assignments after posting a controversial video on social media. This was the first House censure since 2010.
November 17, 2021: Gosar Censured and Removed from Committees
On November 17, 2021, Paul Gosar faced significant disciplinary action for his controversial anime video. In a historic move, the House of Representatives voted 223-207 to censure him and remove him from his committee assignments. This decision, supported by all Democrats and only two Republicans, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, marked the 24th time a House member had been censured in American history. Gosar's actions sparked outrage and condemnation from both sides of the aisle, leading to a rare bipartisan rebuke.
2021: Runs for Reelection in Arizona's 9th Congressional District
Paul Gosar ran for reelection in Arizona's 9th congressional district in 2021 after redistricting.
2021: Gosar Votes "Present" on Condemning Myanmar Coup
In 2021, when the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to condemn the coup d'état in Myanmar, Gosar chose to vote "present."
2021: Gosar Sponsors Bill to Restrict H-1B Visa Program and Eliminate Optional Practical Training
In 2021, Gosar sponsored the American Tech Workforce Act, a bill that sought to establish a minimum wage requirement for the H-1B visa program aimed at highly skilled foreign workers. This move was intended to curb companies' reliance on the program. Moreover, the bill aimed to abolish the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allowed foreign graduates from U.S. institutions to remain in the country for work experience.
2021: Gosar Votes Against National Defense Authorization Act Restricting Troop Withdrawals from Afghanistan
In 2020, Gosar opposed the National Defense Authorization Act for 2021, which aimed to prevent the president from withdrawing troops from Afghanistan without congressional authorization.
February 2022: McConnell Condemns Gosar's Participation in White Nationalist Conference
In February 2022, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell publicly criticized Paul Gosar for his continued association with white nationalist Nick Fuentes and his participation in the America First Political Action Conference. McConnell's condemnation, stating that there was no room in the party for "white supremacists or anti-Semitism," highlighted the growing rift and condemnation of extremist ideologies within the Republican Party.
February 2022: Gosar Co-Sponsors Bill to Halt Ukraine Aid Unless Border Secured
In February 2022, Gosar co-sponsored the Secure America's Borders First Act, which aimed to prevent military and security aid to Ukraine until the U.S.-Mexico border was secured.
May 25, 2022: Gosar Spreads Misinformation About Robb Elementary School Shooting
On May 25, 2022, the day of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting, Paul Gosar faced severe backlash for spreading racist and transphobic disinformation about the attack on social media. His actions, which included falsely identifying the perpetrator and sharing misleading information, were widely condemned as insensitive, dangerous, and contributing to the spread of harmful stereotypes.
October 2022: Gosar Invites Zelenskyy and Putin to Arizona for Peace Talks
Amidst the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, Gosar extended an invitation to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks in Arizona in October 2022.
December 2022: Gosar Votes Against Respect for Marriage Act
In December 2022, Paul Gosar joined all Arizona Republicans in voting against the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that enshrined federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages. This vote reflected Gosar's opposition to the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights and sparked criticism from advocates of marriage equality.
2022: Gosar Expresses Opposition to Water Fluoridation
While Gosar initially supported water fluoridation as a dentist to combat tooth decay, he reversed his stance in 2022, citing concerns that it negatively impacted human intelligence.
2022: Republicans Win Control of the U.S. House
Republicans won control of the U.S. House in the 2022 elections.
2022: Gosar Opposes National Defense Authorization Act Including Women in Draft
In September 2021, Gosar was among 75 House Republicans who voted against the National Defense Authorization Act for 2022, specifically taking issue with a provision that would have required women to register for the military draft.
2022: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade
In 2022, the Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sent shockwaves across the nation, igniting both celebrations and protests. This ruling, removing the constitutional right to abortion, marked a significant shift in American law and ignited passionate debates about reproductive rights and access to healthcare.
2022: Trump Endorses Gosar for Reelection
In 2022, former President Donald Trump endorsed Paul Gosar for reelection, signaling his continued support despite the controversy surrounding Gosar's actions and censure. This endorsement highlighted the deep political divisions within the country and the ongoing support for Gosar among certain segments of the population.
2022: Gosar Votes Against 2022 National Defense Authorization Act
Gosar was one of 19 House Republicans to oppose the final passage of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.
January 2023: Committee Assignments Restored
After Republicans gained control of the U.S. House in the 2022 elections, Paul Gosar had his committee assignments restored in January 2023.
September 2023: Gosar Calls for Execution of General Mark Milley
In September 2023, Paul Gosar sparked outrage and condemnation when he published an email on his congressional website calling for the execution of U.S. Army general Mark Milley. Gosar's use of inflammatory language and calls for violence against a high-ranking military official raised serious concerns about his judgment and fitness for office.
2023: Gosar Supports Israel After Hamas Attack
Following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, Gosar expressed his support for Israel.
2023: Gosar Votes to Direct Biden to Withdraw Troops from Syria
In 2023, Gosar was among 47 Republicans who voted in favor of a resolution directing President Joe Biden to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.
2023: Represents Arizona's 9th Congressional District
In 2023, Paul Gosar began representing Arizona's 9th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
2023: Gosar Continues Attacks on General Milley
In 2023, Paul Gosar continued his attacks on General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in his weekly newsletter to constituents. Gosar's ongoing criticisms and inflammatory language towards Milley further escalated tensions and raised concerns about his rhetoric and potential for inciting violence.
2023: Gosar Votes Against Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, Paul Gosar was among the 71 Republicans who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act.