Mike Johnson wants Ethics panel to keep potentially damaging Gaetz report secret

• Gaetz resigned from the House Wednesday — a move that would typically disband the Ethics Committee's investigation — but senators of both parties have said they want to see the panel's findings as they prepare to consider whether to confirm Gaetz.
• "I'm going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report because that is not the way we do things in the House, and I think that would be a terrible precedent to set," Johnson said, as first reported by Politico.
• Johnson's comments are a notable pivot from his previous stance that he does not wade into Ethics Committee matters.

Catch up quick: In June, the ethics panel officially confirmed its probe into Gaetz had picked up where the Justice Department left off in some of its investigations.

• The committee said at the time that the scope of the investigation had changed — expanding to look at new claims, such as whether Gaetz tried to obstruct the inquiry, while dropping others, such as allegations he misused campaign funds.
• Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and alleged the probe was reopened by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as a form of retaliation for Gaetz's efforts to oust McCarthy from leadership.

The other side: When asked about the report, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters, "I think it was Justice Brandeis who once said that sunlight is the best disinfectant in a democracy."

• "Transparency is always the best course of action, particularly when it relates to high-ranking government officials," Jeffries added.
• But Jeffries declined to go further, saying he is not going to "get out ahead" of Ethics Committee ranking member Susan Wild (D-Pa.).

The big picture: Trump's decision to select Gaetz — a staunch ally and polarizing figure in the House — sent shockwaves through Congress, with his critics arguing the allegations should disqualify him.

• Republicans on the House Ethics Committee met on Thursday, but it remains unclear whether they will vote to release their findings.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.