The House Ethics Committee is set to release its report on former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz this Monday, after a bipartisan vote on December 5. This investigation is a big deal and could have serious consequences for Gaetz’s future in politics, especially with his ties to former President Donald Trump and plans to take on a media role at One America News Network (OANN).
Newsweek reached out to Gaetz’s team for comment, but as of now, we’re still waiting on a response.
Why It Matters
Gaetz recently dropped out of the running to become Trump’s attorney general, saying the focus on his ethics report was unfairly distracting. This report has the potential to shape not only his political future but also the way we think about accountability in Congress.
As Gaetz eyes a role in the Trump administration or in media, the findings of this report could shake things up. He’s already got a lot of eyes on him, and the contents of this report may just determine whether he can move forward with his plans.
The Ethics Committee is made up of 10 members, split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, and they voted to release the findings with the backing of at least two Republicans.
Before the report’s release, Gaetz firmly denied any wrongdoing but hinted that he might take his oath for the 119th Congress in January before diving into his media career.
What’s in the Report?
The Ethics Committee has been investigating several serious accusations against Gaetz. These include sexual misconduct, drug use, sharing inappropriate content on the House floor, misusing state IDs, using campaign funds for personal expenses, and accepting questionable gifts or bribes.
They’ve gathered evidence like Venmo transactions and testimony from women who say they were involved in parties with Gaetz that included sex and drugs.
Interestingly, while Republicans had previously blocked the release of this report, the vote this time was bipartisan, signaling a change in how these investigations are being handled.
Before this ethics probe, Gaetz was also under investigation by the Department of Justice for sex trafficking and obstruction of justice, but no charges were filed. He has said that as a former lawmaker, he hasn’t been given the chance to directly challenge the accusations against him.
What Are People Saying?
In a letter to the Ethics Committee back in September, Gaetz strongly denied any sexual activity with minors, saying, “The answer to this question is unequivocally NO.” He’s also admitted to sending money to women he dated but insists he did nothing illegal.
Some lawmakers, like Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, are calling for more transparency. She wants all congressional ethics reports released, arguing that if one report is made public, they all should be. She’s even pushing for the release of the so-called “Epstein list” and details about a fund that covers sexual misconduct by members of Congress.
Rhode Island Representative Seth Magaziner agrees that the public has a right to know, especially given Gaetz’s potential future roles in a Trump administration. He believes that if the ethics committee thinks Gaetz’s actions are serious enough to release this report, the public deserves to see it.
What’s Next?
On Monday, the Ethics Committee will release the report just as the 118th Congress wraps up. Gaetz is preparing to launch his new TV show on OANN in January, and the scrutiny around him is only going to grow.
As the story unfolds, all eyes will be on Gaetz—his next moves, and what the report reveals could have a lasting impact on his career.
