A US House Ethics Committee report has uncovered “substantial evidence” that former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz engaged in serious misconduct while in office, including paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl and using illicit drugs.
The report alleges Gaetz violated multiple state laws, including ethics rules, and brought disrepute to the House of Representatives. Gaetz, however, denies any wrongdoing, claiming, “the people investigating me hated me.”
Key Allegations Against Gaetz
The Ethics Committee’s findings outline several serious allegations:
- Drug Use: Gaetz allegedly used illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana, and provided these substances to others, violating the House code of ethics.
- Gift Violations: He reportedly accepted private plane travel and expenses for a trip to the Bahamas, violating House gift rules.
- Abuse of Power: The report states he used his congressional office to grant favors, including expediting a passport for a woman he was in a sexual relationship with.
- Obstruction of Investigation: Gaetz allegedly attempted to obstruct the Ethics Committee’s inquiry by deflecting, misleading, and refusing to provide requested documentation.
Uncooperative Behavior During the Investigation
The report describes Gaetz as “uncooperative throughout the Committee’s review.” Despite a subpoena, he did not submit testimony and refused to participate in voluntary interviews. Instead, he issued public responses and sent over a dozen letters to the committee, but failed to address the allegations substantively.
The Ethics Committee noted it lost jurisdiction to continue its investigation when Gaetz resigned from his House seat shortly after being nominated by Donald Trump to serve as attorney general. However, the committee decided to release the findings in the public interest, an unusual step underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
Trump’s Troubling Choice of Gaetz
Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Matt Gaetz for attorney general is troubling, given the serious allegations against him and his apparent disregard for ethics and accountability. The role of attorney general demands unimpeachable integrity, as it oversees the nation’s justice system and upholds the rule of law. By nominating someone with such a tarnished record, Trump demonstrated a lack of judgment and a concerning tendency to prioritize personal loyalty over public trust.
The backlash to Gaetz’s nomination from both Democrats and Republicans reflects bipartisan recognition of the profound unsuitability of his candidacy. That Gaetz ultimately withdrew from consideration after the release of this report highlights the political and ethical miscalculation of Trump’s choice.
