Trump’s pick for attorney general accused of sex with minor, drug abuse
US President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Republican Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General has come under intense scrutiny following accusations involving sexual misconduct with a minor and drug abuse. The allegations have been revived as a Florida-based attorney representing two witnesses in a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz is calling for transparency, demanding the release of the committee’s report.
According to attorney Joel Leppard, one of his clients testified that she had witnessed Gaetz engaging in sexual activities with a minor. Speaking to ABC News, Leppard said, “My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor.” He called for full disclosure, arguing that democracy relies on transparency, especially when allegations pertain to high-ranking officials. “As the Senate considers former Rep. Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general, several questions demand answers,” Leppard added.
The controversy surrounding Gaetz is rooted in a House Ethics Committee investigation that examined whether he engaged in sexual misconduct and drug abuse. While the Department of Justice conducted a lengthy three-year investigation into the matter, no formal charges were filed against Gaetz. However, the emergence of new claims has reignited public debate and raised concerns regarding his fitness to serve as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer.
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Responding to the renewed allegations, a spokesperson for Gaetz pointed to the lack of charges from the Department of Justice under Merrick Garland, suggesting the matter had been thoroughly investigated and dismissed.
The ethics report, which House Speaker Mike Johnson has resisted releasing, remains a focal point in the controversy. Johnson has stated his opposition to making the findings public, stressing a desire to maintain certain protocols. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has signalled support for full transparency, remarking, “In a democracy, transparency is always the best course of action, particularly when it relates to high-ranking government officials.”
Gaetz, 42, faces what is anticipated to be a heated Senate confirmation process in early 2025. The allegations have sparked widespread debate, with concerns extending beyond partisan lines about what the accusations could mean for his role in enforcing justice across the country.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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Government of the criminals by the criminals for the………