Democrats hunt for ways to make Gaetz ethics report public
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Rep. Matt Gaetz at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 16, 2024. Photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images.
Democrats are scrambling for any way to force the release of what many expect to be a damning House Ethics Committee report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
Why it matters: Gaetz's abrupt resignation from Congress on Wednesday, after President-elect Trump said he'll nominate him for attorney general, put a sudden halt to the panel's investigation into him.
- The panel was looking into allegations including sex trafficking, accepting improper gifts and illicit drug use. Gaetz has denied all of the allegations.
- The panel had been set to meet this week to vote on its report, which could have slated its release for as early as Friday.
- One House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Axios there is no doubt in the minds of Gaetz's colleagues that the report would be deeply damaging to him.
What we're hearing: Democrats on the committee are exploring whether they have the ability to formally release the report themselves, sources familiar with the matter told Axios.
- The panel's membership is split 50-50 between the two parties and generally needs a majority – meaning at least one Republican joining all Democrats – in order to take action.
Yes, but: Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) has signaled he does plan not allow the report to be released.
- One Republican on the panel, Rep. John Rutherford (R-Fla.), told Fox News he doesn't believe the report can be released after Gaetz's resignation.
- And House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pleaded ignorance about the timing of an Ethics Committee report, saying he wasn't aware there was a meeting scheduled.
Zoom in: Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), whose panel would hear Gaetz's nomination for attorney general, took the rare step of asking the House Ethics turn over the report
- Durbin said the timing of Gaetz's resignation "raises serious questions" about the contents of the report, which "could be relevant to the question of Mr. Gaetz's confirmation."
- It is not clear that Durbin has any power to compel a House committee to hand over documents.
- Senate Republicans are also pressing for the report's release, with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) telling reporters he would "absolutely" like to read it as the upper chamber considers Gaetz's nomination for attorney general.
Between the lines: Some lawmakers are speculating about the report being released through unofficial channels.
- "It'll leak because everything leaks from this place," predicted Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), one of Gaetz's harshest critics in the House GOP, who noted the deep animosity many of Gaetz's colleagues have towards him.
