U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) speaks to reporters during a press conference held by House Republican leaders at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., on November 12, 2024.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, is a “Pandora’s Box” and the committee’s report will be made public. He said it shouldn’t be done.
“My understanding is that the report is not yet complete. It’s in rough draft form. It wasn’t ready to be released yet. Now that Matt Gaetz has left Congress, it’s not appropriate for it to be released. I don’t think so,” the Louisiana Republican said. CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
The House Ethics Committee was investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and other misconduct. Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress just two days before the committee was to vote on releasing the report. punch bowl news It was reported last week.
“I think it’s a Pandora’s box. I don’t want the House Ethics Committee to use all of its vast resources and authority to go after civilians. That’s where Matt Gaetz is right now,” Johnson said. said.
Gates’ resignation Effectively ended This is because the Ethics Committee’s investigation is limited to members of the House of Representatives.
On Thursday, a lawyer for a woman who claims she had a sexual relationship with Gates when she was a minor said the Ethics Commission should release its report.
Johnson doesn’t think the Senate should rely on the report to confirm the former Florida lawmaker.
“The Senate has a constitutional advice and consent role and will carry out that role,” Johnson said. “There will be a rigorous vetting and scrutiny process in the Senate, but there is no need to rely on a report or a draft report, a draft report, that the Ethics Committee has prepared for a very narrow purpose. ”
Johnson and Gaetz did not immediately respond to CNBC emails seeking comment.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said Sunday that the House Ethics Committee should “absolutely” release the Gates report.
“The Senate needs to advise and agree with these individuals, and in the process give Matt Gaetz the same chance it gives all of President Trump’s nominees,” Mullin said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” I’m going to give it to you,” he said. “If he’s qualified, he’s qualified. Frankly, I didn’t even know he was a lawyer until he was appointed attorney general, so I had to look him up. there were.”
Gaetz was previously embroiled in a federal investigation into whether he was involved in the sex trafficking of 17-year-old girls. The investigation, which ended without charges being filed last year, was conducted by the Justice Department. Gaetz will lead the company if confirmed by the U.S. attorney general.
On Friday, a lawyer for a woman told the Ethics Commission that she saw Gates having sex with a minor, NBC News reported.
“My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that he witnessed Congressman Gates having sex with a minor at a house party in Orlando in 2017,” attorney Joel Leppard said in a statement. Ta.
Mr. Gaetz denies all charges against him. In September, he announced his intention to stop cooperating with a House committee, releasing a letter in which he strongly denied having “sexual activity with individuals under the age of 18.”
— CNBC kevin breuninger Contributed to this story.
