The House Ethics Committee has decided not to release its report on Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, despite calls for transparency. Following a closed-door meeting that lasted two hours, committee chair Rep. Michael Guest stated that the panel had not reached an agreement to make the findings public.
Gaetz has been under investigation for alleged misconduct, including drug use, improper gifts, and accusations of sexual relations with a minor. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for December 5 to revisit the matter.
Gaetz, a former congressman who resigned from the House shortly after his nomination, met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week as part of his confirmation process. Ethics Committee Democrat Rep. Susan Wild clarified that a vote was taken on the report but noted that decisions require bipartisan support.
She explained the committee’s structure of equal representation from both parties, which often necessitates cross-party collaboration to reach conclusions.
The decision to withhold the report could affect Gaetz’s upcoming Senate confirmation hearings. While the Ethics Committee may release the findings later, there is a possibility of leaks to the Senate or the public beforehand.
Ethics Committee Delays Report on Matt Gaetz Amid Attorney General Confirmation Scrutiny
To address the delay, Rep. Sean Casten plans to introduce a resolution that would force a House vote on the report’s release. Casten and other lawmakers argue that withholding the findings undermines the Senate’s ability to make an informed decision.
A group of 100 House Democrats, including Casten, signed a letter urging the Ethics Committee to release its findings immediately. The letter emphasized the gravity of the charges against Gaetz and expressed concerns that delaying the report could impede the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities. It also criticized Gaetz’s resignation from Congress as a possible attempt to sidestep accountability during the confirmation process.
Outside the Ethics Committee, the watchdog organization American Oversight is seeking federal court intervention to release records from the federal investigation into Gaetz.
The group aims to ensure transparency as Gaetz faces scrutiny over his past conduct. A Trump loyalist and former member of the House Judiciary Committee, Gaetz remains the focus of intense political debate as his nomination for Attorney General proceeds.
