A claim circulating on social media alleged that Republican Party Chairman Matthew Reilly resigned after being found passed out in his car with a crack pipe.
This assertion is true. Matthew Reilly, who was the chairman of the Cranston, Rhode Island, Republican Party, was indeed arrested in May 2023. Police discovered him unconscious in his vehicle with a crack pipe in his hand. He subsequently resigned from his position shortly after the arrest.
While the claim accurately reflects the events, some social media posts failed to specify that Reilly held a local party position and that the incident occurred in May 2023, predating the widespread circulation of the claim in July 2026.
Local news outlets reported on the incident in May 2023, detailing Reilly’s discovery by police. Body camera footage from the responding officer was also released. An order suspending Reilly’s law license confirmed his arrest and charges of crack cocaine possession. The Cranston Republicans confirmed his replacement as local party chair, referring to the situation as an “unfortunate development.”
It is important to note that Matthew Reilly has never served as the chair of the national Republican Party; that role was held by Joe Gruters in July 2026.
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