Does Matt Gaetz Have a Chance?

The House Ethics Committee, an oxymoron in and of itself, is deciding whether or not to release its report on an investigation of Matt Gaetz over allegations out of Florida. Those allegations were investigated by Merrick Garland's FBI and the Florida Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Both agencies closed their investigations without charges being filed, saying there was insufficient evidence to show a crime was committed and that the witnesses were inconsistent and not credible.

The Ethics Committee has investigated Gaetz and, now that he's been nominated by Trump for Attorney General, is debating the report's release even after Gaetz resigned from his Congressional seat. I am curious about what's in the report. If they reached the same conclusion as the FBI and the Florida BCI, then it's no problem. If they say they found concrete evidence of criminal activity either they're better investigators than the two investigative agencies, which I find difficult to believe, or, because they are not law enforcement officials, their burden of proof is far less than what is required by law enforcement. 

One thing is certain... there are Republicans in the House who hate Matt Gaetz because of the Kevin Mccarthy incident. Would they issue a report that might not be 100% accurate to get rid of him? I have no doubt whatsoever that the FBI did a very thorough investigation in an effort to hang an outspoken Republican out to dry. In the court of public opinion Matt Gaetz may be guilty as sin. But the Fifth Amendment "Due Process Clause" protects people from conviction without due process. "The government must follow proper procedures and not violate any Constitutional rights when seeking a conviction or that conviction will not stand."

Should the Committe report be released before Gaetz's confirmation hearing? I'll let you decide. For me the report is irrelevant. He was cleared by two top investigative agencies which, in my book, holds more weight than the House Ethics Committee. Do I trust the FBI in general? Not at all. But as I said - I believe their investigation against a Republican was in depth and complete. The Garland FBI would leave no stone unturned in their effort to hurt the Republicans. 

I have my doubts about Gaetz getting confirmed. According to news reports, at least eight Republican Senators have said they will not vote to confirm him. J.D. Vance is meeting with Senators this morning to talk about it. Let's see what happens.