Trump is calling senators directly to lobby for Gaetz AG confirmation as House Republicans weigh burying ethics report on him

President-elect Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to secure former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s confirmation as attorney general, directly lobbying key senators to support the Florida Republican for the high-ranking post. According to sources familiar with the outreach, Trump has made calls to several senators, emphasizing his commitment to getting Gaetz confirmed despite the hurdles facing the nomination. While the names of the senators involved have not been disclosed, it is clear that Trump is fully invested in this nomination.

At the same time, the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz is causing complications. Some Republican members of the committee are reportedly considering withholding or burying a potentially damaging report on the former congressman’s conduct. The investigation, which includes allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, had been shelved after Gaetz resigned from Congress following Trump’s announcement. With the committee’s report still in limbo, the question remains whether it will ever be made public.

Republicans on the panel have expressed reservations about releasing the findings, with some aligning with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has argued that the report should remain sealed. While the committee has not officially released the report, Democrats view the delay as an attempt to suppress the findings. Meanwhile, some GOP senators are calling for the report to be released, arguing it’s critical to vetting Gaetz for such a significant position, potentially setting up a clash between the two chambers of Congress.

Trump’s commitment to Gaetz’s confirmation remains strong, even as some of his allies express concern about the political fallout. Sources close to the president-elect say he is fully invested in getting Gaetz confirmed, despite growing skepticism from within the Senate. Trump is reportedly determined to secure the 51 votes needed, recognizing that Gaetz’s confirmation would be a powerful signal to the Republican base. Despite potential challenges in the confirmation process, Trump has made clear that Gaetz is a central figure in his Cabinet plans.

Trump’s nomination of Gaetz for attorney general has drawn attention for multiple reasons. The former congressman has been a vocal defender of Trump and a critic of the Justice Department, making him an appealing choice for a president seeking to overhaul the agency. Trump sees Gaetz as someone capable of taking bold actions to dismantle what he views as a biased and politically motivated Justice Department. In addition, Trump values Gaetz’s media presence, believing that his combative style would be an asset in defending the administration’s policies in public forums.

However, Gaetz’s nomination has become more controversial in light of the ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into his behavior. Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations, including accusations of having sex with a minor and paying for sex. The ethics probe was expected to release its findings shortly before Gaetz resigned, but its future remains uncertain as the committee debates whether to disclose the results.

As the investigation into Gaetz continues to hang over the confirmation process, GOP senators are increasingly calling for the release of the House report. These senators argue that it is essential to fully vet any potential candidate for attorney general, especially someone like Gaetz, whose past is clouded by serious allegations. However, Republicans on the House Ethics Committee, including Speaker Johnson, have pushed back, claiming that since Gaetz resigned from Congress, the investigation should be closed, and the report should remain private.

The issue of whether to release the report remains contentious. Democrats on the committee, led by Rep. Susan Wild, have made it clear that they believe the report should be made public. Wild noted that there is precedent for releasing such reports even after the individual under investigation has left Congress, citing previous instances where ethics investigations were completed and findings released post-resignation.

However, Republicans continue to argue that the matter is closed because Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress. Speaker Johnson, in particular, has stated that the report is unfinished and that it should not be made public. “The speaker of the House is not involved in Ethics Committee work, can’t be, shouldn’t be,” Johnson said in a recent interview, emphasizing that the investigation should remain confidential due to Gaetz’s resignation.

As the fate of the ethics report hangs in the balance, Democrats are preparing for a potential fight to ensure that the public has access to the findings. They believe that withholding the report is an attempt to shield Gaetz from scrutiny, especially as his confirmation for attorney general moves forward. In the meantime, Republicans will have to weigh the political risks of releasing the report versus the potential benefits of shielding Gaetz from further controversy.

The confirmation of Matt Gaetz as attorney general remains an urgent priority for Trump, despite the ongoing challenges. As the battle over the ethics report continues, both sides are carefully strategizing their next steps, knowing that the outcome could have significant implications for the future of the Republican Party and the Trump administration.