International Courant
Home Speaker Mike Johnson mentioned Friday that he believes the Home Ethics Committee shouldn’t launch the findings of its investigation into Matt Gaetz now that the Florida Republican is not a member of Congress.
“I consider it is extremely vital to keep up the Home of Representatives’ custom of not issuing ethics studies on people who find themselves not members of Congress,” Johnson mentioned. “I believe it could open a Pandora’s field.”
This can be very uncommon for Johnson to deal with this situation, as Home audio system historically keep out of committee investigations and enterprise.
U.S. Speaker of the Home of Representatives Mike Johnson speaks at a press convention for Home Republicans after their management assembly, on Capitol Hill in Washington, November 13, 2024.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Simply two days in the past, Johnson mentioned this in regards to the report: “So far as the timing of releasing a report or something like that, I do not know. The Speaker of the Home is just not concerned in that, can’t be concerned in that.”
The Home Ethics Committee was within the last levels of investigating Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct and unlawful drug use, sources confirmed to ABC Information, earlier than his resignation.
It’s unclear what the bipartisan panel will do subsequent with its report. There are rising calls from senators on either side of the aisle for the report back to be launched.
The Home Ethics Committee, which sources mentioned was getting ready to satisfy this week to deliberate on whether or not to launch a last report, would no longer meet on Friday, in keeping with two sources conversant in the matter.
Gaetz resigned from the Home of Representatives shortly after being named legal professional normal by newly elected President Donald Trump — a alternative that shocked some Republican lawmakers and plenty of Justice Division officers. Gaetz will must be confirmed by the Senate to fill this function.
When requested Friday whether or not he had spoken to Trump in regards to the ethics investigation, Johnson deflected.
“I am not speaking to anybody about what I mentioned to Trump,” he mentioned.
Matt Gaetz arrives earlier than President-elect Donald Trump speaks throughout an America First Coverage Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago property, November 14, 2024, in Palm Seaside, Florida.
Alex Brandon/AP
Johnson additionally claimed he was responding to public studies in regards to the panel’s findings and was not knowledgeable of the investigation.
“The speaker has no involvement or understanding of what’s going on with the Ethics Fee, what they’re investigating or when,” Johnson added.
“What I am saying is somebody who’s not a member of Congress. You aren’t investigating and publishing a report,” he concluded. “I’d encourage the Home Ethics Committee to observe that custom. I believe it is vital.”
