Ethics Committee Deadlocks on Gaetz Report
The House Ethics Committee has reached an impasse on whether to release a report detailing its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and other wrongdoing by former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Partisan Divide
The committee, comprised of five Republicans and five Democrats, voted along party lines, with no consensus reached. Ethics Chair Michael Guest, R-Miss., claimed that there was no agreement to release the report, while Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., disputed this assertion, stating that the vote was sharply divided.
Investigation Timeline
The ethics probe, which began in May 2023, was paused at the request of the Department of Justice, which was conducting its own investigation into allegations that Gaetz sex-trafficked a minor girl. The DOJ ultimately ended its probe without filing charges. The committee reauthorized its investigation in May 2023.
Gaetz Denies Wrongdoing
Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including engaging in sexual misconduct or illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts, giving special favors to personal contacts, or seeking to obstruct government investigations. In September, he stated that he would no longer voluntarily participate in the ethics probe.
Resignation and Nomination
Gaetz’s resignation from Congress last week, shortly after being tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to become the next U.S. attorney general, removes him from the committee’s jurisdiction. Trump’s decision to select Gaetz for a high-level Cabinet role has sparked intense pushback from Democrats and surprise from Republicans.
Senate Opposition
Gaetz’s nomination is viewed as the least likely to be confirmed by the Senate, with many Senate Republicans opposed to his nomination. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have urged the FBI to turn over all evidence gathered from its investigation into Gaetz.
Call for Transparency
As the Senate prepares to consider Gaetz’s nomination, Democrats are calling for full transparency, requesting that the FBI provide all necessary information to fulfill their constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on presidential nominees.
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