Matt Gaetz Agrees to Debate with Dream Defenders Director

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, agreed to a televised debate with executive director of the Dream Defenders Phillip Agnew to discuss Florida's Stand Your Ground law.

Agnew challenged Gaetz to a debate via Twitter on Sunday after he read news reports saying Gaetz wouldn't support changing the self-defense law. Gaetz has been particularly vocal about his stance on Stand Your Ground and was chosen by House Speaker Will Weatherford to hold a hearing on the controversial law in the fall.

On Sunday evening, Agnew tweeted the following to Gaetz:

"@mattgaetz televised debate on #standyourground? I'm at the Capitol. #syg"

To which Gaetz replied: "Looking forward to it. But please keep naked ppl out of the Capitol Chapel till then." Gaetz was referencing a Capitol Police report which said protesters were sleeping in the chapel half-dressed.

Today marks day 21 of the Dream Defenders' protest at the Florida Capitol, and they have insisted to remain in the Capitol until a special legislative session is called to discuss Stand Your Ground. Gov. Rick Scott rejected the call for a special session when he met with protesters in July.

According to the Miami Herald, the details of the debate haven't been worked out just yet, but Agnew has already assembled a team of advisers which will include Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, and Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee.