Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is reportedly calling on the House Ethics Committee to refrain from disclosing its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).
“I do not, no. I think it’s a terrible breach of protocol and tradition and the spirit of the rule.” Johnson said in response to a reporters question as to whether he believed the report should be released or not.
The panel is under increasing pressure to disclose its findings regarding the Florida Republican who resigned from Congress immediately after President-elect Trump appointed him as attorney general.
The Speaker stated that he intended to discuss the matter with Michael Guest, the Chair of the House Ethics Committee (R-Miss.).
Johnson subsequently cautioned that the report would “open a Pandora’s box” if it were released after Gaetz resigned on Wednesday, thereby removing himself from the committee’s jurisdiction.
The Speaker contended on Friday that the “House’s tradition” regarding the matter is that the panel does not issue reports after members have departed the chamber.
That action, however, is not entirely unprecedented; in 1987, the commission issued its report on former Representative William Boner (D-Tenn.) subsequent to his resignation from the House.
Johnson’s advocacy for Gaetz represents a significant departure from the conventional approach of House leaders to matters before the Ethics Committee, which has been characterized by a lack of involvement.
Additionally, Johnson’s remarks regarding the matter two days prior to his advocacy are noteworthy.
Gaetz has been accused by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) of instigating a vote to remove him due to his refusal to participate in the Ethics Committee investigation.
Gaetz refuted this assertion, attributing the decision to remove the Californian to disagreements regarding strategy and policy.
For years, the Ethics panel has been conducting an investigation into Gaetz, with the objective of determining whether he has been involved in illicit substance use and sexual misconduct, among other allegations.
The Department of Justice, which had previously investigated whether he had sex with a 17-year-old, declined to charge him with a felony, and he has vigorously denied allegations of wrongdoing.
Gaetz’s resignation from the House shortly after Trump nominated him to serve as attorney general, however, abruptly concluded the Ethics Committee investigation on Wednesday.
Former members of Congress are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Ethics panel.
[READ MORE: Kevin McCarthy Predicts Gaetz Won’t Get Confirmed as Attorney General in Spite of Trump Nomination]
