House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes Ethics Committee to keep Matt Gaetz report secret

WASHINGTON — Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he will request the House Ethics Committee not release a potentially damaging report on the conduct of former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general.

“I'm going to strongly request that the Ethics Committee not issue the report, because that is not the way we do things in the House,” Johnson told reporters in comments first reported by Politico and CNN. “And I think that would be a terrible precedent to set."

Gaetz, a firebrand conservative and trusted Trump ally, resigned Wednesday from Congress shortly after his nomination to lead the Justice Department and two days before the Ethics Committee was set Friday to consider the release of a report on the panel's three-year investigation into Gaetz.

The probe, which effectively ended with Gaetz's resignation, covered allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting “improper gifts” and giving out special favors to individuals with whom he had relationships.

More: Democrats, GOP clash over release of Matt Gaetz ethics investigation

Johnson said he plans to talk to House Ethics chairman Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., about the matter, CNN reported. Guest has said he does not plan to make the report public.

When asked whether the public has a right to see the report, Johnson, according to Politico, responded: “The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee. And so I don't think that's relevant.”

Earlier in the week, Johnson did not take a public position on the release of the Gaetz ethics report, telling reporters Wednesday: "The Speaker of the House is not involved in that ? can't be involved in that."

Gaetz, who has denied wrongdoing, was previously under investigation by the Justice Department for allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her to travel with him. The DOJ ended the investigation in February 2023 and did not bring charges against Gaetz.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has the power to subpoena the Gaetz report. Some Senate Republicans have said they want to see the report and predicted the details will come out despite Johnson and Guest vowing to keep it confidential.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who serves on the committee that will have oversight over Gaetz's nomination, told reporters Thursday: "I don't see any relevant information that should be withheld."

"We also have the resources of the FBI to do a background investigation. So one way or another, around here, the facts ultimately come out," he said. "I think it's in the president's best interest that he not be surprised and we should be fully informed of what the facts are."

Trump's Gaetz nomination as AG sent shockwaves through Washington, stunning Democrats and Republicans alike. Although a commercial litigation attorney, Gaetz has no experience as a prosecutor. Gaetz has been a vocal critic of the Justice Department from his seat on the House Judiciary Committee, accusing Attorney General Merrick Garland of "weaponizing" the department by prosecuting Trump.

More: 5 takeaways as Trump returns to Washington as president-elect: 'It's a nice world today'

In nominating Gaetz to head up the Justice Department, Trump ? who in 2023 was indicted in four separate criminal cases ? said "few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System." Trump pleaded not guilty in all four cases and was convicted in one of them after a trial. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump vowed retribution against his political enemies.

Gaetz faces a potentially tough road to Senate confirmation despite the incoming Republican majority of the upper chamber.  However, Republican senators might be reluctant to push back at Trump's pick following his decisive election victory.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Johnson pushes for Matt Gaetz ethics report to remain secret