Speaker 'Strongly' Requests Matt Gaetz Ethics Probe Not Be Released
US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Friday that he "strongly" recommends the House Ethics Committee not release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) sexual misconduct allegations. He said releasing a report on someone who's no longer in Congress would open a "Pandora's box."
Facts
- US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Friday that he "strongly" recommends the House Ethics Committee not release its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-Fla.) sexual misconduct allegations. He said releasing a report on someone who's no longer in Congress would open a "Pandora's box."[1][2]
- Gaetz, who was recently nominated by Pres.-elect Donald Trump to be Attorney General (AG), was reportedly investigated for alleged sex with a minor and illegal drug use, among other misconduct.[3]
- The Justice Department (DOJ) also investigated the sex trafficking allegations for almost three years but didn't bring charges. After he resigned from office due to his AG nomination, the ethics probe, which was set to release a report two days later, was brought to an end early.[4]
- As Gaetz will now have to be confirmed by the Senate to become AG when Trump takes office next year, senators from both the Republican and Democratic parties are requesting access to the ethics report as part of their vetting process.[1][2]
- In contrast to Speaker Johnson, a spokesperson for Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin said there's "longstanding precedent for releasing ethics investigation materials after a member resigns." Republican Sen. John Cornyn said he "absolutely" wants to see it.[5][6]
- The Ethics Committee, over which Mike Johnson has no influence, was scheduled to vote on the matter on Friday, but postponed it. While Gaetz's alleged victim has reportedly testified that she was abused, Gaetz said her claim is "invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress."[1]
Sources: [1]New York Post, [2]NBC, [3]The New York Times, [4]Sky News, [5]BBC News and [6]FOX News.
Narratives
- Republican narrative, as provided by The Federalist. Matt Gaetz has been defamed for three years, starting with an anonymous source-based New York Times article smearing him as a sex trafficker. Even the Biden DOJ chose not to prosecute him, but Democrats, and even some establishment Republicans, are still trying to use this hoax as a way to prevent Gaetz from being AG. They hold disdain for him because he exposes government corruption, which is why his leadership is needed now more than ever.
- Democratic narrative, as provided by The New York Times and The New Republic. The widespread distrust of Matt Gaetz is coming from both sides for good reason. Besides the fact that an alleged child predator should not be in charge of the law, both Democrats and Republicans know that he's unqualified as a lawyer. This ethics report should be released immediately so the whole country can see Gaetz's alleged history of sexual abuse, illicit drug use, and campaign finance violations. Holding corrupt politicians accountable is a bipartisan issue.
