House committee reports on Matt Gaetz allegations

On Monday the House Ethics Committee released a report investigating allegations of drug use and sexual misconduct against former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The committee noted that since Gaetz has resigned, it lost jurisdiction in the matter. The committee said it doesn’t commonly release reports in such circumstances but it has done so on past occasions, when the release is determined to be in the public interest. The majority of the committee agreed to release it over the objections of several members, according to the document.

What did they report about Gaetz’s behavior? In its introduction to the 42-page document, the committee said it found substantial evidence that Gaetz, R-Fla., engaged in the following activities:

• Regularly paid women to engage in sexual activity with him from at least 2017 to 2020.

• Engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl in 2017.

• Used or possessed illegal drugs—including cocaine and ecstasy—on different occasions from 2017 to 2019.

• Accepted inappropriate gifts, including transportation and lodging, during a 2018 trip to the Bahamas.

• Arranged for his chief of staff in 2018 to help get a passport for a woman with whom he had been engaging in sexual activity. During this period, he falsely indicated to the Department of State that she was a constituent of his.

• Sought to obstruct the House Ethics Committee’s investigation.

What has Gaetz said about the report? Gaetz made several posts to X on Monday shortly after the report’s release. Many of the posts included portions of previously unreleased interview transcripts. He accused the committee of unveiling its allegations in an online report—instead of a court of law—to make it impossible for him or his attorneys to cross-examine any of the witnesses. Gaetz also insisted that the money he paid to the various witnesses was a form of gift, rather than payment for sexual activity. He denied ever having sexual contact with anyone under 18. He also repeatedly pointed out the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision not to charge him with any crimes at the conclusion of its investigation. In posts last week, Gaetz admitted that he likely womanized, drank, partied, and smoked too much before he was married, but that he had changed his behavior.

If Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress, why is the report significant? Last month, President-elect Donald Trump named Gaetz as his first pick for attorney general. Gaetz resigned his House seat days before the House ethics report was scheduled for release. Gaetz later withdrew his name for consideration for attorney general. Last month, he said on a podcast that he did not plan to return to be inaugurated in January.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report about evangelical leaders expressing concern about the prospect of Matt Gaetz becoming attorney general.