The U.S. House has done something truly stunning. And the GOP can’t believe it.
As a secret vote out of Congress has Republicans ringing every alarm bell.
The House Ethics Committee secretly voted to release the findings of the investigation they conducted into s*xual misconduct allegations against former Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), according to a recent report by CNN.
The vote, reportedly held in December, follows years of controversy surrounding Gaetz, who has been accused of engaging in s*xual misconduct, including allegations of involvement with an underage partner.
Gaetz has consistently denied the claims, characterizing them as politically motivated and noting that the Justice Department chose not to pursue charges after its investigation.
The document from the Ethics Committee is expected to be released later this month, despite earlier attempts by House Republicans to block its publication.
In November, Gaetz resigned from Congress after being named President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general — a nomination he withdrew just eight days later amid Senate Republican concerns tied to the allegations.
The 42-year-old firebrand addressed the issue on Wednesday following CNN’s report. In a tweet, Gaetz reiterated his denial of the allegations while acknowledging some aspects of his past behavior. “The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes. I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED,” he wrote.
Gaetz claimed the Ethics Committee relied on “witnesses” that the Justice Department had previously deemed not credible and criticized the lack of opportunity to defend himself.
“I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued,” he wrote.
He also addressed rumors about his personal life, admitting to youthful indiscretions but firmly denying any criminal conduct.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had s*xual contact with someone under 18,” Gaetz stated.
Reflecting on his past, Gaetz admitted, “My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too. It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”
House Republicans previously voted along party lines to block the report’s release, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) arguing that Gaetz’s resignation made its publication unnecessary.
However, the Ethics Committee appears to have reversed course, signaling the report will soon become public.
Gaetz, who now works as a host for the conservative network One America News, remains defiant, framing the investigation as a continuation of partisan attacks against him.
Whether the forthcoming report will cast new light on the long-running controversy remains to be seen.
But overall, it’s looking as though Donald Trump dodged a bullet with Gaetz deciding to withdrawal his name from the attorney general nomination.
The release of this report would’ve only caused headaches for Trump during the Senate confirmation process for Matt Gaetz.
Stay tuned to Prudent Politics.
