Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has responded to news that the House Ethics Committee will release its investigation into allegations against him, including claims of sexual misconduct and drug use.
In a post on X, Gaetz acknowledged past behavior, saying he “womanized, drank, and smoked,” but firmly denied any illegal activity. The investigation, which has been closely watched for years, centers on accusations of unlawful drug use, bribery and involvement in the sexual trafficking of a 17-year-old girl—allegations that Gaetz has consistently denied. Notably, no charges have been brought against him.
Responding to the latest developments, Gaetz wrote:
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes.
I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.
Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued.
Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body.
In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.
My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too.
It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.
But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that fuck over the country!
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 18, 2024
I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.
Then, the very “witnesses” DOJ deemed not-credible were…
Controversy Surrounding Gaetz’s Career
The Ethics Committee’s decision marks an unusual step, as releasing findings on a former member of Congress is rare. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has voiced opposition to the disclosure. The committee reportedly voted in secret to make the report public, drawing renewed attention to Gaetz’s tenure in Washington.
CNN has additional information regarding the committee’s reversal:
The report is now expected to be made public after the House’s final day of votes this year as lawmakers leave Washington for the holidays, those sources said.
The vote, which has not previously been reported, amounts to a stark reversal for the panel after it had voted along party lines in late November not to release the results of the investigation. The decision to release the report suggests that some Republicans ultimately decided to side with Democrats on the matter, and it is unclear if the committee will once again change course now that it has voted.
When the committee voted last month to shelve the report, Gaetz was President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be attorney general. Since then, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for the Senate-confirmed post, though he maintains frosty relations with many in his party and is still active in GOP politics.
It is exceedingly rare for an ethics report to be released after a member has left Congress, though it has happened on a couple of occasions in the past. The committee revisited the issue behind closed doors earlier this month after a feud over the report spilled into public view before Thanksgiving.
Gaetz rose to national prominence as a vocal ally of President-elect Donald Trump. However, his tenure in Congress was marked by clashes with Republican colleagues, particularly his role in ousting then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. These internal divisions, combined with controversy surrounding his brief nomination for U.S. Attorney General, further strained relationships within the GOP. Critics pointed to his thin résumé for the Justice Department role and ongoing ethical questions as disqualifying factors.
Looking Ahead: Gaetz’s Next Chapter
Despite the swirling allegations, Gaetz was reelected in 2024 to represent his Northwest Florida district. However, he announced plans to step down in January, triggering a special election set for April 1, 2025, to fill his seat.
The former congressman is now pivoting to media. Gaetz is poised to become an anchor for the pro-Trump cable network One America News Network, a move that aligns with his continued advocacy for Trump’s policies and America First principles.
In the interim, Florida’s former Attorney General Pam Bondi has replaced Gaetz as Trump’s nominee to head of the Department of Justice. Bondi, a seasoned legal professional, has received bipartisan praise for her qualifications, in contrast to the controversy that surrounded Gaetz’s short-lived nomination.
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While you are not the first and won’t be the last to have a misspent youth and misbehaving, I am so sensitive to the language of today which always has to include the “f” word. It is an assault on people’s ears to have to listen to people who have such a limited vocabulary, they think they have to use lewd and obscene language to make a point. Not so!
Politics is definitely a blood sport for all but the feint-hearted. Smoke for sure, but, from all I’ve seen and heard, no fire. The key consideration: if Gaetz committed a crime, then why didn’t the ravenously anti-conservative DOJ investigate and indict? No crime?
Gaetz has been good for Northwest Florida. He will certainly be missed.