Gaetz may not be Trump’s Attorney General but he still isn’t out of the woods.
House Democrats are determined to push forward with efforts to release the Ethics Committee report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), despite his decision to step down from consideration for Attorney General in President-elect Trump’s upcoming administration. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), who introduced a resolution last week to force a House vote on making the report public, insists that the American people deserve transparency. The investigation into Gaetz centers on serious allegations, including the use of illicit drugs and inappropriate relations with a minor during his time in office. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Casten argues that the withdrawal of Gaetz from the AG nomination does not negate the need for full disclosure. “While I welcome the news that Matt Gaetz is withdrawing from consideration for Attorney General, it remains important that the Gaetz report be made available to the American people,” Casten said in a statement. His resolution is considered “privileged,” meaning it must be voted on within two legislative days of being introduced. This sets the stage for a vote in early December when lawmakers return from the Thanksgiving break. GOP leaders, however, are expected to block the motion.
The House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), oppose releasing the report. They argue that it is an internal Ethics matter and that making it public could set a dangerous precedent. Johnson’s stance is that Gaetz, having resigned from Congress, is no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction. Many Republicans, however, have their own personal grievances with Gaetz, including his role in orchestrating the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last year. This has fueled speculation that some Republicans may back the release of the report, partly to tarnish Gaetz’s reputation.
Despite these internal divisions, Casten has acknowledged the complicated political landscape. While he’s not pressuring Republicans to support his resolution, he emphasizes that the public deserves answers. “It’s not about moral tests; it’s about how you were raised,” Casten said. He also pointed out that many Republicans might avoid confronting Gaetz for fear of angering Trump, which could influence how the vote plays out.
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), a member of the Ethics Committee, has signaled his support for the resolution. He also took aim at Speaker Johnson’s comments, questioning how he could have been aware of the investigation’s status, given that details are supposed to be confidential. Ivey suggested that Johnson’s comments risk politicizing the matter, further complicating the situation. As the resolution moves forward, it’s clear that this issue is far from settled and will likely remain a contentious point of debate in the House.