Analysis by WorldTribune Staff, December 23, 2024 Real World News
When then-Rep. Matt Gaetz led the charge to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy and his backers launched an investigation into alleged “sex trafficking” against the Florida Republican.
Matt Gaetz: ‘These claims would be destroyed in court — which is why they were never made in any court against me.’The threat by Democrats and McCarthy’s backers of releasing the House Ethics Committee’s report on the investigation is said to have weighed heavily in Gaetz’s decision to withdraw from consideration after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him for attorney general.
Now, even though there has never been “sufficient evidence” for the Department of Justice to charge Gaetz, the committee’s report was leaked to Politico in what is being seen as a final act of retribution by McCarthy loyalists and Trump resistance forces in Congress to stop Gaetz from having any kind of position in the incoming Trump administration (think special prosecutor).
The report said there was “evidence” that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl at a party in July 2017.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations and blasted back against the leaked report: “These claims would be destroyed in court — which is why they were never made in any court against me.”
The 37-page report claims: “The Committee concluded there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress.”
Gaetz easily won re-election in November in Florida’s 1st Congressional District. He won the Republican primary against a McCarthy-backed candidate with 70 percent of the vote.
Gaetz immediately resigned his House seat when Trump picked him for attorney general.
Or did he?
“I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump Administration,” Gaetz said in his communication to the House when he resigned his seat last month.
The question is, can his intentions change now that he is no longer pursuing the attorney general position?
Gaetz posted to X on Monday:
Someone suggested the following plan to me:
1. Show up 1/3/2025 to congress
2. Participate in Speaker election (I was elected to the 119th Congress, after all…)
3. Take the oath
4. File a privileged motion to expose every “me too” settlement paid using public funds (even of…— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) December 18, 2024
Bonus: Gaetz’s speech at AmFest:
Timely: Defund Fake News
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Despite lack of ‘sufficient evidence,’ Ethics Committee’s report on Gaetz ‘sex trafficking’ leaked to media added by Editor Two on December 23, 2024
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