Hold onto your hats, folks! The House Ethics Committee has its sights set on Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), and things are heating up. On Tuesday, the committee announced that they’re digging into whether Gaetz tried to obstruct investigations into his conduct.

And, oh boy, they’ve got a lot more on their plate too. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—this story is juicier than a Florida orange.

The Ethics Committee’s Bold Move

In a rare public update, the House Ethics Committee spilled some beans about their high-profile investigation into Gaetz. They’ve issued 25 subpoenas and chatted with more than a dozen witnesses, all while sifting through mountains of documents.

The committee didn’t mince words: “Notwithstanding the difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz and others, the Committee has spoken with more than a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents in this matter. Based on its review to date, the Committee has determined that certain of the allegations merit continued review.”

What Are They Actually Looking At?

So, what’s the dirt? The committee is still sniffing around allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, used illicit drugs, and accepted improper gifts. Yep, the same stuff they’ve been poking at since April 2021. But wait, there’s more!

They’ve got new angles now: Did Gaetz give special privileges to his pals? Did he try to obstruct government investigations? It’s like a soap opera, but with higher stakes.

But let’s not forget, they’re dropping a few charges too. No more looking into whether Gaetz shared naughty images on the House floor, misused state IDs, converted campaign funds for personal use, or took bribes. Small wins, right?

Gaetz Isn’t Having It

Of course, Gaetz isn’t just sitting back and taking this. He came out swinging on Monday, calling the new investigations “frivolous” and based on “lies.” Classic Gaetz.

“The House Ethics Committee has closed four probes into me, which emerged from lies intended solely to smear me. Instead of working with me to ban Congressional stock trading, the Ethics Committee is now opening new frivolous investigations. They are doing this to avoid the obvious fact that every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration,” Gaetz fired back in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

And he didn’t stop there. Gaetz went full throttle, blasting former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and even comparing the committee’s actions to Soviet tactics.

“This is Soviet. Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime. I work for Northwest Floridians who won’t be swayed by this nonsense and McCarthy and his goons know it.”

The Backstory

Now, let’s rewind a bit. The Ethics Committee’s digging into Gaetz started from a DOJ probe back in early 2021, which was based on allegations that Gaetz had a sexual relationship with an underage girl. The Ethics Committee followed suit with their own investigation, looking into similar claims and more.

Gaetz has always denied everything, and in 2023, the DOJ decided not to prosecute. But the Ethics Committee isn’t letting go that easily.

They’ve been relentless, talking to former associates and even trying to get materials from the DOJ. Clearly, they think there’s more to the story.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

So, where does this leave us? The Ethics Committee is still on Gaetz’s tail, and things don’t look like they’ll cool down anytime soon. The committee insists that “the mere fact of an investigation into these allegations does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”

Sounds like they’re trying to cover their bases, but we’ll see how this plays out.

The stakes are high, and Gaetz isn’t backing down. One thing’s for sure—this saga is far from over. Buckle up, because it’s going to be a wild ride.

Key Takeaways

• Ethics Committee’s Actions: Issued 25 subpoenas, interviewed over a dozen witnesses, and reviewed thousands of documents in the investigation into Matt Gaetz.
• Continued Allegations: Investigating sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and acceptance of improper gifts, among other allegations.
• Gaetz’s Response: Gaetz has categorically denied all allegations, calling the new investigations “frivolous” and politically motivated.
• Political Drama: The probe has deepened the rift between Gaetz and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with significant political fallout.

For more details, you can read the original article on The Hill