House Ethics committee was set to meet this week to vote on releasing Gaetz report

The House Ethics Committee was poised to vote this week on whether to release a long-awaited report concerning Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. However, the timing of the vote was thrown into uncertainty when Gaetz announced his resignation from Congress on Wednesday, shortly after President-elect Donald Trump revealed his intention to nominate the congressman as attorney general.

The committee had been investigating Gaetz for several years, examining allegations ranging from sexual misconduct and drug use to accusations of accepting improper gifts, offering special privileges, and obstructing investigations into his actions. Despite the seriousness of these claims, Gaetz has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing, including allegations of paying for sex or engaging in illegal activities with minors. The committee was expected to release its findings as early as Friday, but with Gaetz stepping down, it’s unclear if the report will ever see the light of day.

The Ethics Investigation and Its Limits

The House Ethics Committee had been under pressure to finalize and release its investigation into Gaetz, which began in 2021. However, due to committee rules, the panel had a narrow window to make the report public. The committee refrains from publishing such reports during election periods, meaning it was prohibited from releasing the report before Florida’s August primary and the general election in November. This delay has extended the timeline for resolving the probe, and with Gaetz’s resignation, the future of the investigation is now in limbo.

The investigation covered multiple allegations against Gaetz, including potential sexual misconduct, drug use, improper gifts, and using his position to influence investigations. Gaetz’s resignation, which took effect Wednesday, ends the committee’s jurisdiction over him. According to Chairman Michael Guest, once a member resigns, the Ethics Committee no longer has the authority to continue its investigation.

“If he were to be appointed [attorney general], then he would have to resign his position in the House so the ethics investigation at that point would cease,” Guest explained. “We only have jurisdiction being the Ethics Committee as long as a person is a member of Congress.”

The Resignation and Its Timing

Gaetz’s resignation came just as President-elect Trump announced he would nominate the congressman as attorney general for his second term. The timing of Gaetz’s decision was notable because it allowed Republicans to potentially fill his seat in time for the new Congress, which is set to begin on January 3, 2025. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who confirmed the resignation on Wednesday evening, noted that under Florida state law, there is an eight-week window to select a replacement. Johnson expressed gratitude for Gaetz’s decision, saying it would allow the GOP to maintain its chances of holding the seat despite the approaching new Congress.

Trump had informed Johnson of his decision to select Gaetz for the attorney general role earlier in the day, adding to the shockwaves that rippled through Capitol Hill. Gaetz’s resignation was a strategic move to prepare for the upcoming Senate confirmation process, where his nomination to lead the Justice Department will undoubtedly draw significant scrutiny.

Gaetz’s Resignation and the Ethics Investigation

The resignation effectively halts the Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz’s conduct, which had been a point of contention among both political opponents and some members of his own party. The Ethics Committee’s probe was examining serious allegations, including claims that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and used his influence to obstruct investigations into his actions.

Chairman Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, expressed his surprise at Gaetz’s nomination by Trump, saying that Gaetz’s name had not been mentioned as a potential cabinet pick prior to the announcement. Despite his surprise, Guest refrained from questioning Trump’s decision, indicating that the president is entitled to select his cabinet members. “There will be a confirmation process,” Guest said, “and if any senators have questions about his or any other cabinet member’s ability to serve, those questions will be addressed during that process.”

While the ethics investigation into Gaetz was expected to reach a conclusion with the potential release of its report, the timing of his resignation casts doubt on whether that report will ever be published. Without Gaetz’s seat in Congress, the committee can no longer pursue the investigation, effectively ending its work.

The Fallout on Capitol Hill

The announcement of Gaetz’s resignation and Trump’s subsequent nomination of him for attorney general sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill. Many lawmakers, particularly those within the Republican Party, were caught off guard by the news. It’s still unclear how the nomination will fare in the Senate, where Gaetz will face a difficult confirmation process, especially given his controversial tenure in Congress and the lingering allegations against him.

Though some of Gaetz’s allies have expressed support for his nomination, the confirmation process is expected to be contentious. Senators will likely scrutinize his past actions, including his role in controversial events such as the January 6th Capitol riot and his outspoken defense of Trump.

For now, the future of Gaetz’s ethics investigation remains unclear, as his resignation has halted the committee’s inquiry and left many questions unresolved. The outcome of the attorney general nomination, coupled with the possibility that the report may never be released, will continue to shape the political landscape as Trump builds his second-term administration.