Gaetz Focused on DOJ Reform, Not ‘Paying Much Attention’ to Ethics Report

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, walks alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance as they arrive for meetings with senators at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 20, 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, said Wednesday that he’s focused on reforming the Department of Justice (DOJ), brushing off questions about the House Ethics Committee’s decision not to release a report on its probe of allegations against him.

Speaking briefly to reporters on Capitol Hill, Gaetz said he held a series of productive meetings with U.S. senators.

“The meetings have been going great,” Gaetz said. “I’m looking forward to the hearing. Folks have been very supportive. They’ve been saying we’re going to get a fair process. So, it’s a great day of momentum for the Trump [agenda].”

The House Ethics Committee, which has been investigating allegations against Gaetz since April 2021, decided not to release its findings after failing to reach a consensus. The matter appears poised to complicate his path to being confirmed as the U.S. attorney general.

Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), chair of the Ethics Committee, said the report remains unfinished and may be forwarded to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review instead. “There was not an agreement by the committee to release the report,” Guest told reporters after the panel met to vote on Nov. 20.

When asked about the Ethics Committee’s actions on Wednesday, Gaetz deflected, saying that his focus was “on what we gotta do to reform the Department of Justice.”

“I’ve been meeting with senators,” he said. “I haven’t been paying much attention to that.”

The investigation includes accusations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and misuse of campaign funds, among other claims. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations, noting that a related DOJ sex trafficking investigation concluded last year without charges.

“The Department of Justice has confirmed to Congressman Gaetz’s attorneys that their investigation has concluded and that he will not be charged with any crimes,” a statement from his office said last year.

Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally, said Wednesday that he'd outlined his priorities in conversations with Vice President-elect JD Vance that day.

When asked if he had spoken directly with Trump, Gaetz said he had not done so on Wednesday but remained focused on achieving “total fulfillment” of the president-elect’s promises.

“I haven’t talked to [Trump], but I had a great time talking to the vice president-elect, talking about how we’re going to end weaponization at the Department of Justice, we’re going to tackle fentanyl, we’re going to ensure that we don’t have the DOJ involved in censorship anymore, and make sure that we get the country back on track and are there for President Trump’s total fulfillment of his promises on the immigration agenda,” Gaetz said.

Gaetz resigned from his House seat after Trump announced his nomination, which will require Senate confirmation. While Trump’s team has dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” Senate Republicans are reportedly divided over whether to demand access to the Ethics Committee report before deciding on Gaetz’s confirmation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) opposed publicly releasing the report, arguing that it would set a “terrible precedent.”

The Ethics Committee has not indicated when or if it will complete the report or share it with the Senate Judiciary Committee.