Trump attorney general pick Matt Gaetz faces scrutiny over sexual misconduct report
A top Republican lawmaker wants to see the unreleased ethics report, and an alleged victim’s lawyer says the document should be made public
US president-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, came under increasing scrutiny on Thursday, as a top Republican lawmaker said he “absolutely” wants to review an unreleased report examining allegations of sexual misconduct.
A lawyer representing an alleged victim also called for the report to be made public.
Senator John Cornyn, who holds a top spot on the committee that will consider Gaetz’s nomination next year, said he and other lawmakers should get access to the report by the House of Representatives Ethics Committee, which examined allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.
“I don’t want there to be any limitation at all on what the Senate could consider,” Cornyn told reporters. When asked if that means he wants to see the ethics report, he replied: “Absolutely.”
Gaetz resigned his House seat on Wednesday, which would end the Ethics Committee probe. He has denied wrongdoing. According to several news outlets, the panel had intended to release the report on Friday. A committee spokesperson declined to comment.
Gaetz also was investigated by the Justice Department for nearly three years over sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl. His office said in 2023 that he had been told by prosecutors that he would not face criminal charges.
