House Ethics chairman says Speaker Johnson will not impact decision to release Gaetz report

House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest on Monday said that his committee's decision whether to release its report on an investigation into former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz will not be influenced by House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Johnson has urged the committee not to release the report, now that Gaetz has left Congress. Gaetz resigned last week after he was tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as attorney general in his second administration.

Guest said he spoke with Johnson over the weekend, who shared the same views that he does about releasing the results of the investigation, but that it should not ultimately impact the panel's decision.

“I appreciate Mike reaching out,” Guest told Politico. “I don't see it having an impact on what we as a committee ultimately decide.”

The report centers on allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor, which he has strongly denied. A separate Justice Department investigation concluded last year, and did not result in any charges.

Guest also noted that committee members can now review the panel's findings, which comes ahead of the committee's meeting on Wednesday. The group was initially expected to discuss the report last week, but Gaetz's resignation complicated the discussion.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.