House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on February 23, 2026, between 7:15:58 p.m. and 8:15:42 p.m. UTC that investigations into Rep. Tony Gonzales must play out before any action, emphasizing consistency across parties, as reported by Mikenzie Frost citing Johnson on X during the 59-minute reporting window. Johnson compared the situation to his opposition to expelling former Rep. George Santos, noting Santos had been accused but not convicted, and warned that accusations alone as a litmus test would force many in Congress to resign. He described the allegations against Gonzales as "very serious" and said Gonzales will address them, according to the same report. The comments address recent allegations against Gonzales, who faces calls to resign from Rep. Lauren Boebert over texts reportedly seeking explicit photos from a former staffer, as reported in the prior hour by Boebert on X. A Texas 23rd GOP primary poll from February 18-20 showed challenger Brandon Herrera leading Gonzales 45% to 21%, per earlier reports citing the Texas Tribune. No new developments emerged on the U.S. Southern Command lethal strike in the Caribbean, Senate Democrats' tariff refund bill, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine's Iran warnings, or ICE training whistleblowers during this window, according to available sources.
