House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday that he does not believe the House Ethics Committee should release the findings of its investigation into Matt Gaetz, now that the Florida Republican is no longer a member of Congress.
“I think it’s very important to maintain the tradition of the House not to issue ethics reports on people who are not members of Congress,” Johnson said. “I think it would open a Pandora’s box.”
Johnson’s examination of the issue is extremely rare, as House speakers traditionally stay out of committee investigations and business.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a news conference for House Republicans after a leadership meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Just two days ago, Johnson said of the report: “As far as the timing of the release of a report or something, I don’t know. The Speaker of the House is not involved in that, he can’t be involved in that.”
The House Ethics Committee was in the final stages of investigating Gaetz alleged sexual behavior and illegal drug usesources confirmed to ABC News before the resignation.
It’s unclear what the bipartisan commission will do with its report now. There are increasing calls senators on both sides of the aisle to release the report.
The House Ethics Committee, which sources said is preparing to meet this week to deliberate on whether to release the final report, was not expected to meet Friday, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
Gaetz left the House shortly after President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general — a choice he was surprised by some Republican members of parliament and Many Justice Department officials. Gaetz must be confirmed by the Senate to fill the position.
Asked on Friday if he had discussed the ethics investigation with Trump, Johnson deflected.
“I’m not talking to anybody about what I said to Trump,” he said.
Matt Gaetz arrives before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at an America First Policy Institute gala at Mar-a-Lago on November 14, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida.
Alex Brandon/AP
Johnson also said he was responding to public reports about the panel’s findings and had not been informed of the investigation.
“The speaker has no involvement or understanding of what is going on with the Ethics Commission or what they are investigating or when,” Johnson added.
“What I am saying is someone who is not a member of Congress. You are not responsible for investigating and publishing a report,” he concluded. “I would encourage the House Ethics Committee to follow that tradition. I think it’s important.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) told ABC News Live that he questioned the existence of the report.
“Everyone keeps talking about it. No one has seen it. No one knows it except the Ethics Committee,” he claimed.
Emmer dismissed the specific allegations against Gaetz as “political attacks” and compared them to allegations of sexual assault against Judge Kavanaugh.
