House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) defended calling for the House Ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) not to be released, praising him as a good pick for attorney general.
On Friday, Johnson urged the House Ethics Committee not to release the report on its yearlong investigation into alleged sexual impropriety from Gaetz, arguing that the House shouldn’t release reports on people who are no longer members of the body. He elaborated on his stance in a Sunday appearance on CNN’s State of the Union when host Jake Tapper pressed him on the matter.
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Johnson held that his decision to urge the House against releasing the report wasn’t due to pressure from President-elect Donald Trump, saying the two haven’t even discussed the matter.
“What I have said with regard to the report is that it should not come out, and why? Because Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress. He is no longer a member. There’s a very important protocol and tradition and rule, that we maintain, that the House Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction does not extend to non-members of Congress,” Johnson said. “I think that would be a Pandora’s Box. I don’t think we want the House Ethics Committee using all of its vast resources and powers to go after private citizens, and that’s what Matt Gaetz is now.”
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Tapper later pressed Johnson on the alleged immorality of Gaetz, asking if the Republican Party still cared about the character of its figures.
“Sure, it’s an important issue for anyone in leadership. This is what I’ll say about the nominees that the President has put forward — is that they are persons who will shake up the status quo,” he responded. “And I think what the American people have believed, and what they delivered with the mandate in this election, is the demand that we shake up the status quo. It’s not working for the American people. So to use the term in the opening about how these are disruptors — they are, I think that’s by design.”
“These agencies need reform, and I think the vast majority of American people understand that you can’t have status quo appointments in a moment like this,” Johnson added. “I’m really excited about the days ahead. I think the America First policies will deliver the American people.”
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In a slew of controversial Cabinet nominees, none have proven as controversial as Gaetz. His sudden announcement sent shockwaves through the Senate Republicans, many of whom openly questioned whether he would be able to obtain enough votes to be pushed through.
His nomination was such a surprise that many analysts wonder whether Trump truly believes he can be pushed through.