House Ethics Committee Updates on Matt Gaetz Investigation

Summary:
The House Ethics Committee has provided a rare public update on its ongoing investigation of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., expanding its scope to include allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, improper gift acceptance, and obstruction of government investigations. The committee has dropped four other allegations, including sharing inappropriate images on the House floor and misusing campaign funds. Gaetz, who has denied all allegations, criticized the committee’s actions as politically motivated, particularly blaming former Speaker Kevin McCarthy for the investigation. The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and resumed it in May 2022 after a Justice Department request to pause was lifted. Despite challenges in obtaining information, the committee has conducted extensive research, including interviewing witnesses and issuing subpoenas. The committee emphasized that the investigation’s existence does not imply any rule or law violations and stated no further public comments would be made.