Madison Cawthorn Arrested for Missing Court Date in Florida

Lead Former North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn was arrested Wednesday in Cape Coral, Florida, for failing to appear at a hearing on a suspended-license citation and released on a $2,000 bond.

Nut Graf The arrest comes amid reports that Cawthorn, once backed by former President Trump, is plotting a return to Congress in Florida’s 19th District. His absence from a routine traffic-infraction arraignment underscores ongoing legal and scheduling issues for the 28-year-old ex-lawmaker.

Details

Court Failure and Arrest

  • Cawthorn missed his Sept. 10 arraignment in Collier County on a charge of driving with a suspended license, prompting a bench warrant.
  • Lee County deputies arrested him at his Cape Coral home Wednesday morning; he was released about an hour later after posting a $2,000 bond.

Political Comeback in Question

  • Sources with knowledge of his plans say Cawthorn is preparing a campaign for Florida’s open 19th District seat in 2026.
  • His team blamed a “scheduling misunderstanding” for the no-show and emphasized his busy itinerary.

Controversial Career Highlights

  • Elected in 2020 as North Carolina’s 11th District representative at age 25, Cawthorn was the youngest member of Congress.
  • His tenure was marred by scandals, including airport-security firearm incidents and an explicit video controversy.
  • Cawthorn spoke at the Stop the Steal rally on January 5, 2021, and later called for the release of Capitol rioters, labeling them “political prisoners.”

Legal History in Florida

  • In August 2024, he was cited for violating Florida’s “Move Over” law after rear-ending a trooper’s vehicle on Alligator Alley, resulting in substantial damage but no major charges.
  • The current failure-to-appear charge stems from a Naples Police citation issued on August 19 for driving with a revoked license.

What’s Next

  • Cawthorn must appear in court by the next scheduled hearing to avoid additional warrants or fines.
  • Observers say any further legal missteps could derail his prospective congressional bid.