House Speaker Mike Johnson has defended his actions in blocking the release of the House Ethics Committee report regarding former Congressman Matt Gaetz. Johnson clarified that he has not discussed the matter with President-elect Donald Trump or his advisors, emphasizing that the focus has been on other priorities such as filling the Cabinet.
Johnson stated, 'He respects the House and the parameters, and he knows that I would not violate any of those rules or principles, so it has not been discussed.'
Regarding the timing of the report's release, Johnson argued that the current era of 24-hour news cycles and social media presents a different landscape compared to previous instances. He expressed concerns about setting a precedent by releasing the report after Gaetz's resignation.
While Democrats have pointed out precedents where ethics reports were made public after a member left office, Johnson maintained his stance against releasing the report. He emphasized the importance of upholding protocol and avoiding potential implications of misusing House resources.
'To use the House's resources in a manner that is virtually unprecedented, I think is a breach of protocol and something that has dangerous implications down the road,' Johnson remarked.
