Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, has announced his decision to cease voluntary participation in the House Ethics Committee's investigation into his conduct.
According to The Hill, the Ethics Committee is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other claims, against the congressman.
In a letter posted on social media, Gaetz accused the committee of conducting a "political payback exercise" and labeled their inquiries as "uncomfortably nosy." Gaetz's letter, made public on Thursday, detailed a series of questions he claimed to have received from the committee.
These inquiries reportedly included requests for information about his sexual history over the past seven years and his potential use of illegal drugs. The Florida representative strongly objected to these questions, asserting that the lawful sexual activities of adults should not be subject to congressional scrutiny.
The Ethics Committee launched its investigation into Gaetz in 2021 following reports that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was examining whether he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor. Although Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the DOJ ultimately declined to press charges, the congressional probe has continued.
The question about my sexual history reveals a sinister motive of the Committee to harm me and those who have had any associations with me. To date, I have voluntarily produced tens of thousands of records and answered many of your relevant questions over several years. But asking about my sexual history as a single man with adult women is a bridge too far.
In June, the committee provided a rare update on its investigation, revealing that it had encountered difficulties in obtaining relevant information from Gaetz and others. The panel also expanded its inquiry to include allegations that Gaetz may have obstructed government investigations into his conduct.
The committee's update indicated that they had interviewed more than 12 witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents as part of their investigation.
The congressman also claimed that his former associate, Joel Greenberg, who is currently imprisoned for various crimes, including underage sex trafficking, had planned to falsely implicate Gaetz in hopes of reducing his own sentence.
Gaetz has consistently maintained that the investigations into his conduct are politically motivated. He pointed to his ongoing criticism of the Biden administration as a potential reason for what he perceives as targeted scrutiny.
The Ethics Committee's investigation into Gaetz has had ripple effects on other political disputes within Congress. Most notably, it played a role in the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who claimed that Gaetz led the charge to remove him from his position due to frustration over the ongoing ethics probe.
Gaetz, however, has denied that his actions against McCarthy were related to the investigation. The tension between the two culminated in a public confrontation at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Gaetz reportedly taunted McCarthy during an interview.
In conclusion, Representative Matt Gaetz's decision to cease voluntary cooperation with the House Ethics Committee's investigation marks a significant development in the ongoing probe. The congressman's accusations of political motivation and his objections to the nature of the committee's inquiries highlight the contentious nature of the investigation.
