Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who left Congress during a short-lived bid to become President-elect Donald Trump‘s attorney general, delivered a fiery response on Wednesday after it was revealed that the House Ethics Committee secretly voted to publicize a report on his alleged sexual misconduct.
The news came as a surprise as the panel was previously said to have voted against disclosing the report after Gaetz withdrew from consideration to become attorney general last month, leading to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi getting the nomination. A release is expected to happen after the final votes of the year, possibly later this week.
“The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes,” Gaetz said in a post to X, adding, “I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.”
He continued: “Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued.”
The House Ethics Committee “will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body,” Gaetz said before discussing the period during which the alleged misconduct took place.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked,” he said. “I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
Gaetz said his 30s “were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too.” He added, “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”
Then, the former congressman ended his post with a swipe at Congress, alluding to the 1,547-page continuing resolution (CR) that seeks to provide funds to various departments through March 14, 2025, allocate more than $100 billion in disaster aid, and more.
“But at least I didn’t vote for CR’s that f*** over the country!” Gaetz said.
With a follow-up post to X, Gaetz prompted speculation about whether he might try to make a brief comeback to the House.
Someone suggested the following plan to me:
1. Show up 1/3/2025 to congress
2. Participate in Speaker election (I was elected to the 119th Congress, after all…)
3. Take the oath
4. File a privileged motion to expose every “me too” settlement paid using public funds (even of…— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) December 18, 2024
