The Ethics Report on Matt Gaetz

Elections & Politics #142 | By: Arvind Salem | December 27, 2024

Collage by Breann Bracewell for U.S. Resist News

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Policy Summary

Just before Xmas the House Ethics Committee released a bombshell report on the conduct of former Representative Matt Gaetz. The report not only alleges numerous ethical violations, but state law violations as well. The release of the report was controversial as Gaetz had already left Congress, following the announcement of his selection as Trump’s Attorney General nominee (although he later withdrew his name from consideration). The committee also previously voted to keep its findings secrets, but later reversed course. The Committee is split between 5 Republicans and 5 Democrats, but 2 Republicans voted for the report’s release.

The report alleges four main categories of ethical impropriety: commercial sex, illegal drug use,  excessive gifts, and obstruction of Congress. For commercial sex, the report alleges that Gaetz paid over $90,000 to 12 different women in connection to sex or drug use. One of those women was allegedly a minor at the time of the encounter. Gaetz explicitly denied this in a written response to the committee. For illegal drug use, per the testimony of women involved with Gaetz, he allegedly used ecstasy and cocaine, while outside evidence pointed to potential use of cannabis: all three of which are banned for recreational state use by Florida law. Regarding excessive gifts, Gaetz allegedly accepted gifts past the $250 limit by accepting a private plane trip and hotel accommodations for a trip to the Bahamas. Gaetz denied this accusation but failed to produce any proof to the committee that he paid for these himself. Gaetzs’ behavioral pattern included providing scant documentation to the committee, not voluntarily interviewing with the committee, and also not responding to a subpoena he faced for testimony. The report concluded that these actions represented obstruction of Congress.

Policy Analysis

Matt Gaetz political future after his Congressional tenure is largely uncertain. In Republican circles, Gaetz has been thrown out as a name that could run for Florida governor in 2026 and Gaetz himself seems to be considering running for Senator Rubio’s likely vacant seat (as he becomes Secretary of State). The presence of the report definitely harms his candidacy on both fronts.

For his part, Gaetz criticized the report as a sham witch hunt and is using it as evidence of left-wing targeting to fuel donations. Gaetz especially criticized the release of his report after he left the House, the fact that he was not able to confront his accusers or witnesses, and he was given no opportunity to debate or rebut the contents of the report (although as the committee argued in their report, Gaetz was given ample opportunity to contribute but was less than eager). Gaetz is also attempting to maintain conservative credibility by avowing his previous self and promising that he’s changed away from his womanizing, drinking, and smoking past. He appears to still have the support of President Trump, who is still the kingmaker in the Republican party, meaning that Gaetz political future, especially in Republican politics, is still very much alive.

Engagement Resources

• Brennan Center : The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School is an organization that promotes reforms to American democracy and argues against many practices today such as gerrymandering and mass incarceration. Readers who are concerned about the health and protection of our democracy in light of this may wish to support the Brennan Center and help it advance its proposed reforms.
• ActBlue : ActBlue allows people to donate to a host of Democratic organizations, candidates, and causes. Readers are likely to find organizations that are against Matt Gaetz on this site and may wish to donate money to further that cause.

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