The future of a report on Matt Gaetz’s alleged misconduct remains uncertain as the House Ethics Committee is deadlocked on whether to release its findings. Gaetz, a former Florida congressman, has been investigated for allegations including sexual misconduct, drug use, and obstruction of investigations. The Ethics Committee met behind closed doors for two hours on Wednesday to discuss the report, but Republicans and Democrats were unable to reach an agreement. The committee is scheduled to meet again on December 5 to further consider the report’s release.
The investigation into Gaetz dates back to 2021, when several allegations emerged, including claims that he engaged in sexual relations with a minor, paid women for sex, and used his position to grant special privileges to people with whom he had personal ties. Despite these serious allegations, Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing them as politically motivated attacks. In June 2024, the Ethics Committee confirmed it was investigating these accusations, which include testimony from two women who alleged they were paid by Gaetz for sex. One woman also claimed to have witnessed Gaetz with a minor during a 2017 party.
The matter became more urgent when Donald Trump nominated Gaetz to be the next U.S. Attorney General, prompting heightened scrutiny of the Ethics Committee’s report. The nomination requires Senate approval, and senators from both parties have called for the release of the findings. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley and Democrat Dick Durbin have expressed the importance of transparency, especially given Gaetz’s potential role in law enforcement.
Despite mounting pressure, the Ethics Committee has struggled to move forward. Michael Guest, the Republican chair of the committee, has voiced concerns about releasing the report prematurely, as it is still under review. He indicated that the committee might choose to send the report to the Senate Judiciary Committee rather than making it public, though this option remains uncertain. Democrats, including Congresswoman Susan Wild, have expressed frustration with the deadlock and are pushing for full transparency.
The investigation is complicated further by Gaetz’s abrupt resignation from Congress, which occurred shortly after his nomination as Attorney General. This move has raised questions about whether the Ethics Committee still has jurisdiction over him, and whether it can release the report at all.
As of now, Gaetz’s role in Trump’s cabinet nomination remains a topic of intense debate. Despite the allegations, Gaetz has maintained a strong base of support, with some colleagues defending him as a “reformer” and an ally of Trump. However, watchdog organizations, including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), have emphasized the need for the report’s release to ensure accountability, especially given Gaetz’s potential to assume one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. government.
The situation is likely to develop as the Ethics Committee reconvenes in December, and the Senate Judiciary Committee continues its preparation for Gaetz’s confirmation hearings. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for both Gaetz’s political future and the broader conversation about transparency and accountability in Washington.
