The publication is reproduced in full below:
CORRECTING ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE'S DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS
______
HON. PAUL A. GOSAR
of arizona
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Mr. GOSAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to address the malicious, false, and defamatory statements printed in Rolling Stone Magazine about me.
Every statement about me in the October 24 article was false or misleading. Moreover, the author knew they were malicious and false when he made them.
For example, the author lies and says that I offered ``blanket pardons'' for unknown people for crimes that had not yet occurred. First, there is no such thing as a ``blanket pardon.'' The author states that a ``blanket pardon'' can be used to convey legal immunity on a person forever in perpetuity, presumably for any crime including murder or arson. It is ridiculous to say this, but he did in fact write this, and he knew no such thing occurred and nothing like that exists. Rolling Stone did this to defame me and make it look like I was planning for violence on January 6. This is malice.
My work on pardons is a public record on file with the National Archives. For example, I wrote letters to the White House and the Office of Pardons on behalf of Stephen Bannon, former Congressman Rick Renzi, and for members of We Build the Wall. The President in fact granted pardons to Mr. Bannon and Mr. Renzi. But these pardons pertained to specific allegations in a criminal complaint or an actual conviction. These are not ``blanket'' pardons that forgive a person of all crimes forever, like a Papal indulgence.
The author and Rolling Stone Magazine falsely claim I planned for violence by merely attending a rally on January 6 or lending public support for this speech prior to January 6. Or by speaking out on the floor of the House under the Electoral Count Act. These allegations and statements are false, defamatory, and malicious. There is no evidence of this because it never happened. To conflate support for election integrity, and support for the President to speak, with support for violence is false and defamatory. To then claim I planned the violence and did so to such a degree I was inducing people to commit violence with the prospect of the mythical ``blanket pardon'' is beyond the pale defamatory.
At this time Rolling Stone refuses to issue a correction. Indeed, it published a follow up article on October 26 doubling down on its malicious defamation.
I continue to demand a retraction. And an apology.
Rolling Stone Magazine has a history of lying and defamation. It's ivermectin story turned out to be pure fiction. So is this one about me.
Since it refuses to correct the story, retract it publicly with a full apology, I will be investigating legal options. The malicious lies this magazine has spread went viral and I received hate mail, death threats, and opprobrium across the country by people who believe what this author wrote. I will not accept this.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 193
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