Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, is calling for the release of a report on Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who has been under investigation for various scandals. The report, which has not been made public yet, is said to detail the findings of the ethics panel's investigation into Gaetz's actions. Wild stated that the committee had released similar reports many times in the past, suggesting that there is no reason to keep this one under wraps.
Gaetz has been facing multiple investigations, including one into alleged sex trafficking and another into campaign finance irregularities. The allegations have led to widespread criticism of the congressman and calls for his resignation. However, Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that he is innocent until proven guilty.
The push to release the report comes at a time when the House Ethics Committee is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of investigations into members of Congress. Some have criticized the committee for being too slow to act and for failing to hold lawmakers accountable for their actions. By releasing the report on Gaetz, the committee can demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Wild's comments on the matter suggest that she believes the report is ready for public consumption and that there are no valid reasons to keep it hidden. Her statement that the committee has released similar reports in the past implies that there is precedent for making such findings public. If the report is released, it could provide valuable insight into the allegations against Gaetz and the findings of the investigation.
Despite the calls for transparency, it remains to be seen whether the report will be released. The House Ethics Committee operates independently, and it is not clear whether the chairman of the committee, Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., will agree to release the report. Guest has not commented publicly on the matter, and it is unclear whether he will bow to pressure from Wild and other Democrats to make the report public.