Ethics Committee Covertly Decided to Publish Gaetz Report
This could potentially result in the report being made public soon.
TroibNews 
The House Ethics Committee has made the unusual and contentious decision to vote to release its investigative report concerning former Rep. Matt Gaetz, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The private vote that took place earlier this month indicates that at least one Republican member of the evenly divided panel sided with Democrats in favor of disclosing the report. Its release is anticipated following the completion of the lawmakers' votes this week, as noted by the source.
Advocacy for the release of the report, which examines multiple allegations against Gaetz, including that he engaged in sexual activities with a minor, diminished after he stepped down as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. While Democrats consistently called for the Ethics Committee to disclose the report, some Republicans speculated that its findings would become irrelevant after Gaetz's nomination was withdrawn.
Gaetz has denied all allegations made against him. In a post on X following the news, he expressed: “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now."
CNN was the first to report on the vote for the report's release, while the panel's spokesperson refrained from commenting.
Though the panel had previously discussed the report, it had not approved its release. Some Republicans contended that the report remained in draft form and that the committee needed to complete procedural steps before finalizing it, but Democrats insisted that it was ready for public disclosure.
Despite Gaetz having many adversaries within the Republican Party, there was significant GOP resistance to the release of the report. Speaker Mike Johnson stated that it should not be made public, and Ethics Chair Michael Guest mentioned after Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general that the report should not be released.
The impending release of the report signifies the conclusion of an Ethics inquiry that has captured the attention of Capitol Hill and has even been linked to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Some believed that Gaetz instigated the vote that led to McCarthy's removal because he thought McCarthy had sanctioned the Ethics investigation. The two had maintained a visibly tense and often antagonistic relationship for several years.
The release could also influence Gaetz's future political ambitions, as many Republicans speculate he may consider a gubernatorial run in Florida. Meanwhile, he is embracing his new position at One America News Network.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
The private vote that took place earlier this month indicates that at least one Republican member of the evenly divided panel sided with Democrats in favor of disclosing the report. Its release is anticipated following the completion of the lawmakers' votes this week, as noted by the source.
Advocacy for the release of the report, which examines multiple allegations against Gaetz, including that he engaged in sexual activities with a minor, diminished after he stepped down as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. While Democrats consistently called for the Ethics Committee to disclose the report, some Republicans speculated that its findings would become irrelevant after Gaetz's nomination was withdrawn.
Gaetz has denied all allegations made against him. In a post on X following the news, he expressed: “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now."
CNN was the first to report on the vote for the report's release, while the panel's spokesperson refrained from commenting.
Though the panel had previously discussed the report, it had not approved its release. Some Republicans contended that the report remained in draft form and that the committee needed to complete procedural steps before finalizing it, but Democrats insisted that it was ready for public disclosure.
Despite Gaetz having many adversaries within the Republican Party, there was significant GOP resistance to the release of the report. Speaker Mike Johnson stated that it should not be made public, and Ethics Chair Michael Guest mentioned after Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general that the report should not be released.
The impending release of the report signifies the conclusion of an Ethics inquiry that has captured the attention of Capitol Hill and has even been linked to the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Some believed that Gaetz instigated the vote that led to McCarthy's removal because he thought McCarthy had sanctioned the Ethics investigation. The two had maintained a visibly tense and often antagonistic relationship for several years.
The release could also influence Gaetz's future political ambitions, as many Republicans speculate he may consider a gubernatorial run in Florida. Meanwhile, he is embracing his new position at One America News Network.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
