Pressure mounts over potential release of Gaetz ethics report

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The fate of Donald Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, may be in the hands of the House Ethics Committee and if their report on the former Congressman sees the light of day.

Gaetz was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor and illegal drug use, leading to not only an ethics investigation but a Justice Department investigation that didn’t lead to charges. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing.

“The Biden Department of Justice investigated Matt Gaetz for years and cleared him of any wrongdoing," said Trump Transition spokesperson and incoming White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The lawyer for the alleged victims said his clients told the ethics committee Gaetz paid them for sex.

The testimony before the House was, yes, that um Representative Gates paid my client. Both of my clients for sexual favors throughout the summer of 2017. All the way to the beginning of 2019," said lawyer Joel Leppard.

The committee is still weighing whether or not to release the report now that Gaetz has resigned and is no longer a member of Congress. Trump is reportedly personally pressuring Senators to confirm Gaetz.

X owner Elon Musk, who has become part of Trump’s inner circle, posted a defense of the former Congressman, saying, “Matt Gaetz has 3 critical assets that are needed for the AG role: a big brain, a spine of steel and an axe to grind,” before calling him a "Hammer of Justice."

Republicans take control of the Senate in January and could ultimately decide Gaetz’s future as Attorney General. A growing number of GOP Senators believe they should have access to the ethics report before deciding on an up or down vote on Gaetz.

“We got to have as much transparency as we can have" said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa.

"I think it would be helpful. Everybody's talking about it, it apparently was just about done," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

Outgoing Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Gaetz and all other nominees will get fair screening from Senators.

We’ll treat them like we’ve treated all others, with the proper vetting," McConnell told reporters this week.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has openly advocated against releasing the report after Gaetz's resignation.

The House Ethics Committee is expected to further discuss the Gaetz report Wednesday, as the pressure builds on the group over whether or not to release it publicly, or to just Senators for the confirmation process.