Title: Congressman Matt Gaetz Resigns Amid Ongoing Ethics Investigation
By Robert Draper, Luke Broadwater, and Maya C. Miller, New York Times Service
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has resigned from his House seat just days after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as attorney general, effectively terminating an ethics investigation that has overshadowed his political career for years. The House Ethics Committee was poised to release a critical report regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use against Gaetz, which has now been nullified by his resignation.
Gaetz’s abrupt exit comes after years of scrutiny, including a two-year investigation by the Justice Department into claims of inappropriate relationships with minors, which resulted in no charges being filed. The House Ethics Committee had been looking into various allegations, including misuse of state ID records and allegations of sharing inappropriate content on the House floor.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Gaetz positioned himself as a victim of political retribution, famously stating, "I am the most investigated man in the United States Congress." His departure leaves House Republicans with a slim majority as they prepare for the upcoming Congress.
Upon announcing Gaetz’s resignation, Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that he contacted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to arrange a special election for Gaetz’s seat. Many Republican colleagues expressed relief at his departure, with Rep. Max Miller of Ohio stating that the mood among his fellow Republicans was "giddy."
As Gaetz prepares for Senate confirmation hearings, the implications of his resignation add complexity to the GOP’s already delicate balance in the House, prompting concerns among party leaders about maintaining unity and effective governance moving forward.
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