The House Ethics Committee ended a two-hour long meeting in partisan chaos Wednesday–handing a victory, at least for the moment, to Matt Gaetz.
Michael Guest, the Republican chairman of the bipartisan, evenly split panel, told reporters there was no agreement to release the findings of a nearly three-year long investigation into the allegations that have plagued the former Florida lawmaker.
He also revealed that the report into Gaetz is not technically finished, somewhat of a surprise that the panel had not completed a comprehensive report after all this time.
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But his disclosure of that and other private proceedings infuriated his Democratic counterpart, Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, who accused Guest of violating their agreement.
However, it appeared Ethics members had at least agreed to complete their report compiling evidence they have gathered into whether Gaetz paid for sex or trafficked minors. But it was unclear when that report would be complete, or released publicly. Gaetz has for years denied any wrongdoing. An FBI investigation ended with no charges.
Sharks on both sides of the aisle have been circling Donald Trump’s sex scandal-plagued choice to lead the Department of Justice.
Portions of testimony provided to the committee have been leaked by a lawyer representing two women who reportedly claim Gaetz paid them for sex in payments totaling $10,000 from from May 2018 to late January 2019.
One woman said she saw Gaetz having sex with a minor at a party in 2017 where drugs were present. The women said Gaetz paid them through cash apps, including reportedly from an account belonging to Nestor Galban, who Gaetz has called his “adopted son.”
Members of the ethics panel emerged from the closed-door marathon meeting tight-lipped amid a swarm of reporters who had waited breathlessly for a Gaetz dossier of sorts.
Democrats were particularly eager to have the report—or whatever findings are available—released, as Republicans loyal to Trump sought to block it.
Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin–a Democrat–on Wednesday asked the FBI to provide all evidentiary records from its defunct investigation of the former Florida GOP lawmaker’s alleged sex trafficking of minors.
“The grave public allegations against Mr. Gaetz speak directly to his fitness to serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the federal government,” Durbin said in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The unanswered questions regarding Mr. Gaetz’s alleged conduct are particularly significant given that his associate, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which Mr. Gaetz was also investigated.” .
The Justice Department ended its investigation of Gaetz last year without bringing charges, and the Florida Republican has denied all wrongdoing. But the House Ethics Committee, under GOP control, continued to investigate the claims.
Members of the House panel dodged a media zoo waiting outside to bombard them with questions about reported tawdry testimony gathered over the past few years.
Senate Republicans on the Judiciary Committee—which is the first serious hurdle Gaetz must clear if he has any chance of being confirmed as the next attorney general—agreed that a hearing is warranted.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) told reporters GOP senators will do their “investigations and research” but give Gaetz a fair shot at explaining himself.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee and a staunch Trump loyalist, was more defensive of Gaetz. “I fear the process surrounding the Gaetz nomination is turning into an angry mob, and unverified allegations are being treated as if they are true,” he said. “I have seen this movie before.”
Graham said Gaetz shouldn’t be disqualified over allegations he paid women for sex, used illicit drugs and had sex with a 17-year-old girl. Still, he said, the process will “not be a rubber stamp.”
Vice president-elect JD Vance shepherded Gaetz around the Senate Wednesday, meeting with Graham and other key members of the Judiciary Committee whose support will be crucial. He must be confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in order to get a Senate floor vote in January, when Republicans will hold a slim 53-seat majority—and four or more defections could be fatal.
Trump stood steadfast by his nominee on Wednesday.
Gaetz resigned from Congress soon after Trump announced him as the nominee for attorney general.
House Speaker Mike Johnson urged the panel not to publicly release the report. Nevertheless, Democrats in both chambers—and even some Republicans—wanted to weigh the findings for themselves.
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