Johnson against release of the House Ethics Committee report involving Gaetz

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson does not want the House Ethics Committee to release a report on Matt Gaetz.

The committee investigated allegations of sexual misconduct involving Gaetz, as well as allegations of illegal drug use and the alleged acceptance of inappropriate gifts. Gaetz, President Donald Trump’s pick as attorney general, has denied any wrongdoing and the Justice Department announced last year that it would not file charges against him.

Gaetz resigned from Congress after learning about his nomination for attorney general. However, his resignation drew criticism after it emerged that the House Ethics Committee may release its report on Friday.

Johnson says the report should not be released because Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress.

“The rules of the House of Representatives have always been that a former member is outside the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee, and so I don’t think that’s relevant,” Johnson said Friday.

Gaetz’s nomination must still be approved by the Senate. Although Republicans will have the majority next year, some members have already expressed skepticism about whether he will get enough votes to be confirmed.