Three of Trump's Cabinet selections face allegations of sexual misconduct
NBCDec 04, 2024
The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement to release a report concerning misconduct allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Pres.-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general.Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) said Thursday he is withdrawing his name from consideration as Pres.-elect Donald Trump's pick for US attorney general.
In June, the committee announced that it was to review, amongst other claims, allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor as well as illicit drug use. The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigated the accusations for three years without bringing charges, while Gaetz denies all allegations.After meeting with Republican senators, Gaetz said he was withdrawing because "it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) announced after a two-hour private meeting that there was "no agreement" to release the report after voting on the matter.This comes a day after the House Ethics Committee failed to reach an agreement to release a report concerning misconduct allegations against Gaetz
The ethics report into Gaetz is nothing more than a smear campaign by the Washington establishment, who are terrified that the nominee will cleanse the systemic corruption and lawfare that has ravaged America. The baseless allegations against Gaetz, which the DOJ has already dropped, are a perfect example of the political witch-hunting that the Trump administration and his nominees are on a mission to end.
Withholding the ethics report compromises the Senate's constitutional duty to properly vet cabinet nominees and conceal critical information about potential criminal conduct. The documented evidence and witness testimonies must be made available for proper scrutiny of an attorney general nominee – history shows there is a precedent of the committee's releasing reports on former members of Congress, and Gaetz shouldn't be allowed to shirk responsibility for his alleged actions.