The House Ethics Committee votes against releasing Matt Gaetz classified Ethics report

A bipartisan House committee has delayed the release of a highly anticipated report on allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next attorney general.

The decision has intensified the debate surrounding Gaetz’s nomination, which faces significant challenges in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged the committee to withhold the report, while several Republican senators preparing to vote on Gaetz’s confirmation have insisted on reviewing it.

The committee voted on whether to release the document, according to Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), the panel’s ranking Democrat, but the vote ended in a partisan deadlock. Wild noted that the committee plans to reconvene on December 5 to revisit the issue.

Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) argued the report remains incomplete and expressed reservations about making it public.

The House Ethics Committee has been investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in illicit drug use, sexual misconduct, misuse of campaign funds, and acceptance of bribes and gifts.

Separately, the Justice Department—an agency Gaetz would lead if confirmed as attorney general—previously investigated claims that he committed statutory rape by paying for sex with a 17-year-old and arranging for her to travel across state lines. That probe was closed without charges being filed.

A lawyer for two women involved in the investigation stated that his clients testified before the House Ethics Committee. One alleged she witnessed Gaetz under the influence of drugs and engaging in sexual misconduct with the 17-year-old, though she believed Gaetz was unaware of the girl’s age. Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations.

Last Wednesday, just days before the Ethics Committee was scheduled to release its findings, Gaetz abruptly resigned from his seat in the House.