On Friday, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson voiced strong opposition to the release of a House Ethics Committee report concerning allegations of sexual misconduct against former Congressman Matt Gaetz. The report, which was due for publication this week, has sparked debate as Gaetz is set to undergo Senate confirmation hearings following his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of U.S. Attorney General.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, stated that he would formally request the Ethics Committee to withhold the report, arguing it would breach long-standing House rules and traditions. "A former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee," Johnson said, emphasizing that releasing such a report would set a dangerous precedent.
Gaetz, 42, resigned from Congress earlier this week, just two days before the Ethics Committee was expected to release its findings. His departure effectively ended the ethics probe, which was launched alongside a broader Justice Department investigation into allegations of sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl. Though federal prosecutors declined to charge Gaetz in 2023, the allegations have continued to shadow his political career.
Several lawmakers, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have called for the report to be disclosed as part of Gaetz’s confirmation process. Senate Republicans, who are set to hold a majority in the upcoming session, will play a critical role in vetting Trump’s nominees, but skepticism about Gaetz’s qualifications has already emerged from within the GOP.
Johnson’s remarks come on the heels of his meeting with President-elect Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He stressed that his opposition to the report’s release was not a defense of Gaetz but rather an adherence to established protocols. "This is about maintaining the spirit of the rules," Johnson said.
Gaetz’s nomination marks a significant departure from the traditional profiles of candidates for top government roles. The controversy surrounding his potential appointment reflects broader challenges facing the incoming administration as it navigates a divided political landscape and internal party debates.
