House speaker blocks ethics report about Trump's surprise AG pick
Speaker Johnson wants to stop release of House ethics report about **Matt Gaetz** right after his sudden resignation. The ex-congressman needs Senate approval for Attorney General role
House speaker Mike Johnson made a quick u-turn about the Matt Gaetz ethics report: first saying he cant decide on its release but then strongly opposing it (which happened right after his Mar-a-Lago visit with Donald Trump)
The 42-year old Gaetz left Congress this Nov-13th — just two days before the expected ethics report release. Earlier in twenty-three‚ prosecutors decided not to charge him after a three-year look into some serious claims which he always denied
The timing creates problems for Trumps unexpected pick: Senate needs to check AG nominees background‚ and many Republicans dont feel sure about this choice. The GOP will control 52 senate seats which means theyll need most party members to agree. Johnson says its against house rules to share info about ex-members: “The Ethics Committee has no power here; its not how we do things in our House‚“ he stated while talking to press at Capitol
The whole situation raises questions about proper ways to check cabinet picks — especially since Gaetz doesnt have typical resume for this job. “It would set a bad example and break our traditions“ Johnson explained (though he claims he knows nothing about whats in that report)
