After my post yesterday, it was reported that Florida Representative Matt Gaetz resigned his seat after getting the nomination for United States Attorney General. The House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, was prepared to vote to release a highly critical report about Gaetz tomorrow (Friday). His abrupt resignation effectively ended the ethics investigation that has hung over his head for years. It is unclear if the report will still be released.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/13/politics/house-ethics-committee-report-gaetz-investigation/index.html
See also the entire front page of the New York Times for a better breakdown.
The committee’s report had already been delayed because of a House rule that forbids releasing a negative report close to an election. Wouldn’t want the voters to see any underbelly before they hit the voting booth. Gaetz doesn’t want voters seeing any of it now, hence the immediate resignation after getting the AG nomination.
The House took up these allegations after a Justice Department investigation into allegations including that Gaetz had sex with a minor, that he transported the 17-year-old across state lines to engage in prostitution, and that he obstructed justice in an effort to cover up his actions, stalled and no charges were filed.
This would be like a newly sworn-in President Gerald Ford offering fellow Michigander Frank Shelden the top slot at the Department of the Interior in August 1974 to reward Shelden’s keen appreciation of “natural resources” like N. Fox Island and campaign donations. (It didn’t happen, of course, but think about how far we have fallen when someone like Gaetz is nominated for attorney general.)
But here’s hoping the price of all those eggs you are consuming comes down a dollar a dozen and that Washington “hears” all your many grievances, even as they deep-six a report on a fellow member’s extra-curricular activities.