House Ethics Committee Sets Stage to Defy Speaker Johnson and Release Matt Gaetz Report

SUMMARY

The House Ethics Committee, led by Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS), is poised to defy Speaker Mike Johnson’s wishes and release a report on Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing, argues the investigation is politically motivated, citing his role in ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. While Johnson has expressed opposition to the report’s release, telling Guest over the weekend that he prefers it be withheld, the committee is expected to meet Wednesday to decide its course of action. The report focuses on allegations of wrongdoing by Gaetz, but his vocal criticism of congressional stock trading practices, especially targeting Guest, has been a point of contention. Gaetz has even raised questions about potential insider trading by Guest, citing his lucrative stock purchases. The Ethics Committee is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, with only one Republican vote needed for the report’s release.