A group of Democratic senators from the Senate Judiciary Committee has formally requested the full evidentiary file from the FBI regarding its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) over accusations of se*x trafficking minors. Gaetz, whom President-elect Trump has nominated to serve as the next attorney general, is facing these serious allegations.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (Ill.) and other Democratic lawmakers have pointed out the gravity of the situation, especially considering the guilty plea of Gaetz’s associate, Joel Greenberg, on charges related to se*x trafficking. The senators argue that such charges are vital to evaluating Gaetz’s qualifications for the attorney general position.
Gaetz’s se*x trafficking accusations become central to his potential appointment as attorney general, say Senate Democrats
In their letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, the senators emphasized that it is essential for the Senate to have access to all materials relevant to the case in order to perform its constitutional responsibilities. They specifically highlighted the importance of reviewing evidence that speaks to the credibility of the accusations.
The letter further noted that the allegations have a direct bearing on Gaetz’s ability to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement official. Citing past practices, the senators pointed to historical instances where the FBI provided Congress with investigative documents related to both open and closed investigations.
One such case occurred in 2002, when Dan Bryant, assistant attorney general for legislative affairs, acknowledged the bureau’s routine sharing of documents with lawmakers.
The Democrats also reminded the FBI of past occasions when extensive investigative materials were handed over to Congress, such as in the case of the 1996 Clinton-Gore campaign fundraising probe and the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email practices, where hundreds of thousands of pages of documents were shared.
The letter was signed by Durbin and fellow Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Amy Klobuchar (Minn.), Mazie Hirono (Hawaii), Laphonza Butler (Calif.), Chris Coons (Del.), Peter Welch (Vt.), Cory Booker (N.J.), and Alex Padilla (Calif.).
Additionally, Senator Chuck Grassley (Iowa), who will soon take over as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has called on the House Ethics Committee to deliver its findings regarding the Gaetz allegations to the Senate panel. He stressed the need for a smooth process and urged the FBI to avoid restricting access to any information that would aid in the investigation.
