Johnson’s appeal is noteworthy, as the Ethics Committee usually functions independently. His stance is likely to amplify the ongoing discussions and controversies in Congress surrounding Gaetz’s expected nomination to the leading law enforcement role in the nation.
“I will strongly request that the Ethics Committee refrain from releasing their report, as that is not the standard procedure we uphold in the House,” Johnson conveyed to journalists at the Capitol. “Setting this precedent would be detrimental.” Historically, Ethics Committee reports have been shared post-resignation, though such occurrences are rare.
This statement marks a shift from Johnson’s comments earlier in the week when he advocated for a detached approach regarding Gaetz’s report. Previously, he stated, “The Speaker is not involved in that and cannot participate in it,” in relation to the Ethics Committee’s activities.
The bipartisan Ethics Committee finds itself under significant scrutiny as it deliberates on the direction of its extensive investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and other issues linked to Gaetz, who stepped down from Congress on Wednesday coinciding with Trump’s announcement of his nomination.
It is typical for the Ethics Committee to cease investigations when a member of Congress resigns, based on the premise that they no longer have jurisdiction. However, the situation surrounding Gaetz is unprecedented, considering his potential cabinet position. Senators are insisting that the details from this inquiry should be disclosed to ensure thorough vetting of his nomination.
“The circumstances and timing of Mr. Gaetz’s resignation raise significant concerns regarding what the House Ethics Committee’s report entails,” remarked Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee. “This critical information from a bipartisan investigation cannot be withheld from the public.”
Gaetz has firmly rejected any accusations of misconduct and has pointed out that the Justice Department’s separate inquiry into alleged sex trafficking involving minors ended without filing any federal charges.
“The longstanding rules of the House assert that former members fall outside the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction,” Johnson stated. “Therefore, I don’t perceive that as applicable.” Nevertheless, members from both parties on the Judiciary Committee, which is tasked with assessing Gaetz’s nomination, have called for access to the report.
Senator Thomas Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, expressed, “I believe this will be pertinent to the proceedings.” Similarly, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn asserted, “There should be no restrictions on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s inquiry, including any material generated by the House Ethics Committee.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., who chairs the Ethics panel, indicated uncertainty over whether the committee could share the report with the Senate. “That is currently under examination by staff, who are working to offer guidance to members,” he mentioned.
When questioned about potentially discussing the report with Senate colleagues, Guest responded, “That decision will be approached by the committee as a whole at an appropriate time.”
If confirmed, Trump’s choice for attorney general would be expected to initiate transformative changes within the Justice Department, which has faced criticism from Trump over two criminal cases accusing him of conspiring to undermine the 2020 election results and mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Throughout his campaign, Trump has portrayed himself as a target of politically motivated prosecutions and has vowed to exact retribution against his adversaries upon returning to the presidency.
In his announcement, Trump stated that Gaetz would be committed to eradicating “systemic corruption” at the Justice Department and returning the agency to its fundamental purpose of combating crime and preserving democracy and constitutional integrity.
The federal investigation into Gaetz regarding sex trafficking began during Attorney General Bill Barr’s tenure under Trump and centered around allegations that Gaetz and a former political associate, Joel Greenberg, compensated minors and escorts or provided gifts in exchange for sexual favors.
Greenberg, a Republican who held the position of tax collector in Seminole County, Florida, confessed in a plea agreement with prosecutors in 2021 to paying women and an underage girl for sex with him and other men. However, those men were not named in court documents at the time of his guilty plea. Greenberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison in late 2022.
