The House Ethics Committee will meet today to decide whether to publish its investigative report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who has been accused of sexual misconduct and drug use before being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for Attorney General.
Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, resigned from Congress last week after being nominated, ending the ethics investigation. The committee had been looking into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl and used illegal drugs. Gaetz has denied the accusations.
Although the Department of Justice investigated the case, it decided not to file charges last year. Some senators are pushing for the report’s release ahead of Gaetz’s confirmation process, with Senator Markwayne Mullin calling for Senate access to the report.
House Speaker Mike Johnson believes the report should remain confidential, as Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress. However, others suggest that senators may request it if it is not made public.
The confirmation of Gaetz and other controversial nominations, like Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, could face challenges in the Senate. Hegseth has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, which were settled privately. Despite these issues, Trump has defended his cabinet choices, although ongoing controversies may affect their Senate confirmations.
