Congressional Ethics Committee Deadlocks on Matt Gaetz Report
A congressional ethics committee has failed to reach a consensus on whether to release a report investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. The committee met for two hours behind closed doors on Wednesday, with Democratic Representative Susan Wild confirming that they remain split along party lines and will reconvene on December 5th.
The investigation centers on several serious allegations against Gaetz, including claims of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and potential obstruction of government investigations. Two women have testified to the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, with one woman alleging she witnessed the congressman having sex with a minor during a party in 2017.
Gaetz, a 42-year-old lawyer known for his right-wing activism and staunch support of Trump, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He claims the accusations are politically motivated, stating on social media that “lies were weaponised to try to destroy me.”
The ethics committee’s investigation was initially prepared before Gaetz’s abrupt resignation from the House, which has complicated the potential release of the report. Since Gaetz is no longer a House member, the committee’s jurisdiction is uncertain. Committee Chairman Michael Guest expressed reservations about releasing the report, noting it is still undergoing review.
Previously, the US Justice Department investigated Gaetz for allegations of having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and violating sex trafficking laws. However, the case was dropped, and Gaetz was never charged.
Despite the controversy, Trump remains supportive of Gaetz’s nomination. His transition spokesman, Alex Pfieffer, stated that “Matt Gaetz will be the next attorney general” and is “the right man for the job.”
Senators from both parties have expressed interest in accessing the ethics report. Dick Durbin, the Senate Judiciary Committee chair, demanded that the committee “preserve and share” the report, emphasizing its potential relevance to Gaetz’s confirmation. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley similarly called for transparency, suggesting that a speedy consideration of the nomination requires full disclosure.
Some of Gaetz’s former House colleagues, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have voiced support for his nomination, with Johnson describing Gaetz as a “reformer” who would “bring a lot to the table.”
As Gaetz continues meeting with senators ahead of a potential confirmation hearing, the fate of the ethics committee’s report remains uncertain. The committee’s inability to reach a consensus has left many questions unanswered about the allegations against Trump’s attorney general nominee.
The situation highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding Gaetz’s nomination and the challenges of investigating misconduct allegations against a controversial political figure.
