Should Gaetz's Ethics Report Be Public?

House Democrats plan to keep pushing for the release of an Ethics report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla. ). This comes after Gaetz decided not to be considered for a top job in the incoming Trump administration. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill. ) wants the public to see what investigators found about Gaetz's alleged drug use and relationship with a minor while in Congress. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing. Casten introduced a resolution to force a House vote on releasing the report. It's set to be voted on in early December. But it's uncertain if it has enough support to pass. Republicans control the House, and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La. ) opposes releasing the report. He argues that since Gaetz is no longer a congressman, the Ethics Committee can't investigate him, and releasing the report could set a bad precedent.

However, Gaetz made enemies during his time in Congress, including some Republicans who might want to release the report to embarrass him. Casten is not actively lobbying Republicans to support his resolution. He believes the vote should happen, so people aren't left in the dark about the investigation's findings. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md. ), an Ethics Committee member, might support Casten's resolution. He criticized Johnson for knowing details about the investigation. Ivey thinks the Speaker shouldn't comment on it at all, as it could politicize the issue.

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