Gaetz investigation widens: House Ethics Committee reaches out to another ex-girlfriend
AlterNetJan 23
US House Committee Continues Investigation of Rep. Matt Gaetz
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The Facts
The House Ethics Committee on Tuesday announced in a rare public statement that it is continuing to investigate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) over allegations that the congressman engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other potential violations of House ethics.
The committee is also examining whether Gaetz “accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.”
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Gaetz is one of the few members of Congress in either party to stand up to the political establishment, and he’s now facing its wrath. As a staunch Trump ally on Capitol Hill, Gaetz already had a bullseye on his back, and the target only got bigger after he pushed to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz had already been cleared by Biden’s hyperpartisan DOJ, yet his own colleagues in the House are determined to smear him.
Pro-establishment narrative
Gaetz has been steeped in many controversies and faces numerous allegations of misconduct. The House Ethics Committee has every right to investigate the serious allegations against a sitting congressman and maintain the integrity of Congress. No one is saying that Gaetz has committed any crime, but he has a duty to comply with the probe against him. He should be working with his colleagues instead of obstructing the investigation.
