Amid an ethics investigation, ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz reportedly sought an excuse to resign from Congress, according to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
The Hill reported that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has made striking allegations against Matt Gaetz, claiming the Florida Republican sought a way out of Congress to avoid potential scandal.
This claim surfaces as Gaetz stepped down shortly after being nominated for attorney general, a position he subsequently withdrew from amid lack of Senate support.
The unfolding drama began when President-elect Trump nominated Gaetz as attorney general. This nomination coincided with the House Ethics Committee's preparation to release a report investigating Gaetz.
According to McCarthy, Gaetz’s resignation was strategically timed. He accused Gaetz of lying to Trump about his reasons for resigning, specifically to preempt the ethics report scheduled for release just days later.
McCarthy explained, "So, Matt wanted an out. He wanted [the] excuse to resign, even though other people have been nominated, but they didn’t resign from Congress." This statement was made during an interview with Dan Abrams of NewsNation, where McCarthy openly criticized Gaetz's actions.
As the House Ethics Committee generally does not publish findings on former members, Gaetz’s resignation could potentially halt the release of any incriminating information.
McCarthy's allegations highlight a historically fraught relationship between him and Gaetz. Gaetz had previously led a motion to oust McCarthy as Speaker, which McCarthy suggests was motivated by his refusal to interfere with the ethics investigation.
"Look, Matt has gone a long way. He made a motion to remove the Speaker because I wouldn’t stop the Ethics report. ... He resigned from Congress two days before the Ethics report became public, trying to get the Ethics report not to go out," McCarthy stated, elucidating on the tension and its impact on their professional interactions.
Despite these serious claims, two other GOP lawmakers nominated by Trump have retained their Congressional seats, contrasting sharply with Gaetz's decision to resign.
Following his withdrawal from the attorney general nomination, the Senate's response has been mixed. Indications of insufficient support suggest a challenging confirmation process had he chosen to proceed.
Furthermore, calls from some Democratic members to release the Ethics Committee's report on Gaetz suggest that the controversy surrounding his nomination and resignation has broader political implications.
The Ethics Committee was scheduled to meet the Thursday after Gaetz's resignation, amplifying the scrutiny on the former congressman.
The fallout from Gaetz's resignation and McCarthy's public accusations sheds light on the underlying tensions within the GOP, as well as the potential repercussions for Gaetz’s political future.
As the political landscape continues to react to these developments, the true impact of Gaetz's actions and the subsequent ethics investigation remains to be seen. McCarthy's outspoken critique represents a significant moment in this unfolding political drama.
This complex situation underscores the intricate and often tumultuous nature of political alliances and the consequences of ethical inquiries in shaping the careers of public figures.
