The House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), fueling political controversy as he awaits confirmation as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general. The decision, split along party lines, has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about the allegations of misconduct against Gaetz.
"There was not an agreement by the committee to release the report," Ethics Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) said following the closed-door meeting. The 10-member panel, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, failed to secure the majority vote required to make the findings public. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) had previously argued that releasing the report would break precedent since Gaetz resigned his House seat last week.
The report stems from a long-running investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and other ethical violations by Gaetz. These include accusations that he engaged in sexual activity with minors, accepted improper gifts, or obstructed government investigations. Gaetz has denied all accusations, labeling the probe politically motivated.
Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), the committee's ranking Democrat, disputed Guest's characterization of the vote. "There was no consensus on this issue," Wild said, emphasizing that the deadlock reflected a sharp partisan divide. She added that the committee plans to reconvene on December 5 to further deliberate.
The committee's decision has drawn criticism from Senate Republicans preparing to evaluate Gaetz's nomination to lead the Department of Justice. Some lawmakers have called for access to the report, arguing that it is crucial to assessing Gaetz's qualifications for the role.
Trump has reportedly been lobbying Republican senators to back Gaetz, making personal calls to address concerns over the former congressman's controversial past. Gaetz, a close Trump ally, has dismissed the allegations as baseless and tied them to his involvement in the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
The Ethics Committee's investigation was initially paused in 2021 at the Department of Justice's request, while federal authorities examined allegations that Gaetz had trafficked a minor. The DOJ concluded its probe earlier this year without filing charges, prompting the committee to resume its inquiry in May 2023. In September, Gaetz announced he would no longer voluntarily cooperate with the committee, reiterating his innocence and accusing investigators of bias.
In response to the Ethics Committee's questioning, Gaetz stated, "The answer to this question is unequivocally NO," when asked if he had engaged in sexual activity with a minor. He further criticized the investigation as politically motivated, calling it a "smear campaign."
While Gaetz's resignation removes him from the committee's jurisdiction, the lack of closure on the report continues to spark debate. Democrats have argued that transparency is necessary, especially given Gaetz's nomination as attorney general. "This isn't just about Matt Gaetz-this is about public trust in our government institutions," said a Democratic aide familiar with the investigation.
Republicans, however, defended the decision to withhold the report, warning that releasing it could politicize the Ethics Committee's work. "This decision reflects the need to uphold the committee's established practices," said a Republican member who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Gaetz's nomination as attorney general comes as Trump seeks to solidify his administration's support ahead of his second term. The controversy surrounding Gaetz's ethical record and the decision to withhold the Ethics Committee report are expected to feature prominently in his Senate confirmation hearings.
The committee's December 5 meeting leaves open the possibility that the report could still be released, potentially influencing the outcome of Gaetz's nomination.
