Michael Guest, the chair of the House Ethics Committee, has stated that the investigation into GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz will come to an end if Gaetz resigns from Congress to become attorney general. Guest explained that the House Ethics Committee only has jurisdiction over a member while they are serving in Congress, so if Gaetz were to be appointed as attorney general, he would have to resign from his position in the House, causing the ethics investigation to cease.
The House Ethics Committee has been looking into allegations against Gaetz, including claims of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts, providing special privileges to individuals with whom he had personal relationships, and attempting to obstruct government investigations. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including allegations of engaging in sexual activities with a minor or paying for sex.
While Guest did not provide details on the current status of the probe into Gaetz, he expressed surprise at the news of Trump selecting Gaetz as his attorney general. Guest mentioned that Gaetz's name had not been previously mentioned as a potential candidate for the position. However, he acknowledged that there would be a confirmation process for Gaetz's appointment, during which any concerns about his suitability for the role would be addressed.
Despite his surprise at the selection, Guest emphasized that he would not question the president's decisions regarding cabinet appointments. He stated that any doubts about Gaetz or other cabinet members' capabilities would be addressed through the confirmation process.
