The GOP-led House Ethics Committee on Wednesday chose to keep its findings on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) under wraps, despite mounting calls for transparency. This decision comes as President-elect Trump has nominated Gaetz to serve as attorney general, adding political tension to the confirmation process.
“There is no agreement by the committee to release the report,” Ethics Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) told reporters after a two-hour closed-door meeting. While the committee debated the issue, including voting on whether to release the full report or just its exhibits, no consensus was reached. The committee did vote to “complete” the report, a decision that passed on a bipartisan basis.
This move adds to a growing sense of irony: if the evidence in the report exonerates Gaetz, why not release it? Gaetz has vehemently denied the allegations against him, which include accusations of sexual misconduct and drug use. He has argued that the Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue charges should settle the matter. If the committee’s findings show his innocence, releasing the report would only confirm his claims. Yet, the committee’s continued secrecy raises questions about its motives and whether it is trying to shield key information from the public and lawmakers alike.
The committee is slated to reconvene on December 5 to further consider the matter. According to Rep. Susan Wild (Pa.), the top Democrat on the panel, it is possible that another vote could take place to release the findings. Yet, the lack of transparency thus far has spurred criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Rep. Sean Casten (Ill.) has already indicated that if the Ethics Committee does not release its findings, he will file a resolution to force the full House to vote on the matter. Casten emphasized that the allegations against Gaetz are serious and credible, and that the Senate must have access to the report to properly evaluate Gaetz’s nomination. The stakes are high, not just for Gaetz but for the broader issue of accountability in Congress.
Despite the committee’s ongoing deliberations, some of the evidence and testimony has already leaked, including claims by a lawyer representing two women who say they told the committee they saw Gaetz “having sex with a minor” at a party. Gaetz, however, has fiercely denied these allegations and maintains that the accusations are part of a smear campaign orchestrated by his former associate Joel Greenberg to reduce his own prison sentence.
The ongoing secrecy surrounding the report has fueled speculation that the Ethics Committee may be trying to protect Gaetz as he seeks the position of attorney general. While the committee generally does not release findings about members who have resigned from the House, as Gaetz did earlier this year, there have been exceptions in the past. In 1987, the committee released a report on former Rep. William Boner (D-Tenn.) after his resignation, and in 2011, the Senate Ethics Committee released a preliminary report on former Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) following his departure.
In this case, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has strongly opposed releasing the report, citing the “long-standing rule” against publishing findings on former members. Yet, given the serious nature of the allegations against Gaetz and the lack of any criminal charges, many are questioning why the committee won’t provide the public with the answers they deserve.
