The president of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, persisted on Sunday, November 17, despite pressure, in his opposition to the publication of a parliamentary report on the actions attributed to Matt Gaetz, chosen by Donald Trump as minister of Justice.
Matt Gaetz, elected from Florida to the House of Representatives, resigned on Wednesday night shortly after the announcement of the election of the president-elect, which caused a stir due to the highly controversial character of the character and his lack of legal experience.
His resignation effectively ended the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into alleged sexual crimes, including a relationship with a minor that he denies, illegal drug use, misappropriation of campaign funds and various professional misconduct.
“Basic draft”
The Republican president of this assembly, Johnson, reaffirmed on Sunday that the publication of the report was no longer necessary. But elected officials on both sides are calling for it to at least be transmitted to the Senate, which decides on presidential appointments.
“To my knowledge, this report is not yet finished, it is still in draft and was not ready to be published”declared on CNN. “Given that Matt Gaetz left Congress, I don’t think it’s appropriate to post it.”continuous. “The Senate has a rigorous review and oversight process, but it does not need to rely on a report or a draft report”He also argued.
At the Department of Justice, Matt Gaetz “He will be a reformer. And I think that’s why the establishment in Washington is so upset about this election.”he also said on Fox News.
An “absolutely” necessary report
On the contrary, Adam Schiff, a Democrat elected to the House and one of Donald Trump’s fiercest opponents, considered it necessary for the Senate to have access to the conclusions of this commission. “Are we really going to have a Minister of Justice against whom there are credible accusations of involvement in the sexual exploitation of minors, possible use of illicit drugs and obstruction of an investigation? »Schiff, who was just elected senator from California, asked CNN.
“If the Senate confirmed his appointment without having seen the ethics commission report or authorized emergency appointments [sans validation parlementaire] This would be equivalent to abdicating one’s own responsibility.” constitutional, he stressed. According to him, with such controversial elections, Donald Trump is deliberately seeking “establish that the members of the American Congress do not resist him in anything. “If they confirm Matt Gaetz, they will do what he wants.”.
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A Republican senator, Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma), also estimated ” absolutely “ It is necessary that at least the Senate, if not all American citizens, be aware of the report. “I think the Senate should have access to it now.”he said on NBC. “We will give Matt Gaetz the same opportunity as any official chosen by President Trump”he assured.
Matt Gaetz is accused of having had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, which he denies, and was the subject of a federal investigation that ended with the case being dismissed, he said in 2023.
