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The House Ethics Committee is set to meet on Wednesday to determine whether to release its investigative report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Let’s bring you up to speed: Last week, President-Elect Trump announced his decision to nominate former Congressman Matt Gaetz as the next Attorney General. Gaetz’s nomination has sparked criticism from Democrats and mixed reactions from Republican lawmakers over past investigations into alleged sexual misconduct, including a DOJ inquiry into sex trafficking that did not lead to charges. Gaetz also faced a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and drug use, but his sudden resignation from Congress halted the release of that investigation (which could have been publicly released as early as today. Gaetz maintained that the ethics investigation was politically motivated and pushed by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
What’s going on now: According to various news outlets citing congressional sources, the House Ethics Committee’s upcoming Wednesday meeting will focus on deliberating whether to release its investigative report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The primary purpose of the meeting is to determine if the findings from the panel’s multi-year investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use should be disclosed publicly, despite Gaetz’s resignation ending the committee’s jurisdiction over him. Lawmakers on the committee are expected to debate the implications of releasing the report, weighing calls for transparency from both parties against concerns about violating traditional protocols that limit the panel’s oversight to sitting members of Congress. A majority vote will be required for any decision to release the report, which has become a focal point in the heated discussions surrounding Gaetz’s potential confirmation as Attorney General.
Two different views:
Those in opposition to releasing the report argue that doing so would breach long-standing protocol and set a concerning precedent for handling investigations into former members of Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson has been vocal in his stance, stating, “What I have said with regard to the report is that it should not come out. And why? Because Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress. He is no longer a member. There’s a very important protocol and tradition and rule that we maintain that the House Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction does not extend to non-members of Congress. I think that would be a Pandora’s box.”
Those in support of releasing the report argue that transparency is critical, especially given the seriousness of the allegations and Matt Gaetz’s nomination for the high-profile role of Attorney General. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) questioned the timing of Gaetz’s resignation, stating, “It’s very suspicious that he all of a sudden resigned because other members who are being nominated for posts have not resigned.” Additionally, a lawyer representing a woman who alleges she had a sexual relationship with Gaetz when she was underage has publicly called for the report to be made available, citing the need for accountability and a thorough vetting process.
