Republican former Congressman Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) has been arrested in Florida.
The arrest comes only days after reports surfaced that Cawthorn is preparing a return to politics with a planned congressional run in the Sunshine State, as reported by The New York Post.
According to GulfCoastNewsNow, Cawthorn, 28, was arrested at his new home in Cape Coral.
He was arrested for failing to appear in court for a citation he received last month for driving without a valid license.
Former Congressman Madison Cawthorn was arrested in Cape Coral for failure to appear in court. More: https://t.co/72w6NamKuq pic.twitter.com/oi2AOoHfu3
— Gulf Coast News (@GCNNow) September 10, 2025
Representatives for Cawthorn confirmed his arrest.
They are attributing the missed court appearance to a scheduling issue.
“Madison keeps a very busy schedule and, due to a scheduling misunderstanding, did not appear in court this morning,” his representatives said in a statement.
“Following processing Madison was immediately released.”
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported that Cawthorn was booked and released the same day on a $2,000 bond.
Madison Cawthorn got arrested again. pic.twitter.com/LBNqJix1ds
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) September 11, 2025
Cawthorn’s arrest comes as Axios reported last week that the former congressman intends to launch a campaign to run for Congress again.
However, this time he will run in Florida’s 19th District.
The district is currently represented by Republican Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who has been considered a rising figure within the party.
Cawthorn previously served one term in Congress representing North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.
During his time in office, he gained national attention and controversy after making claims that lawmakers in Washington invited him to parties involving cocaine use and sexual activity.
His single term was marked by multiple legal and political challenges, and he lost his seat in 2022.
In 2024, Cawthorn was involved in another incident in Florida when he was accused of tailgating a woman before rear-ending a Florida Highway Patrol officer in Collier County.
While he faced scrutiny at the time, no serious charges were filed from that encounter.
Cawthorn, who has used a wheelchair since being partially paralyzed in a car accident at age 18, has maintained a high profile since leaving Congress.
He has also been linked to efforts at reviving his political career.
His arrest in Florida, however, has again brought legal issues into focus as he attempts to return to public office.
The latest development underscores the scrutiny surrounding Cawthorn as he works to reposition himself within Republican politics.
His upcoming campaign announcement in Florida is expected to draw significant attention, given his past controversies and high-profile presence on the national stage.
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