The woman at the heart of a lengthy Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving Rep. Matt Gaetz (Florida) testified to the House Ethics Committee that the now former lawmaker had sex with her when she was 17, sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News. Now in her 20s, the woman testified for several days to the committee, recounting that the politician approached her sexually while she was a minor in high school.
"These allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress," Gaetz said in response to the outlet's reporting. "This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism."
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Matt Gaetz, one of his staunchest supporters, as the new U.S. Attorney General. Should he overcome his numerous detractors be confirmed, Gaetz would oversee the very department that spent years investigating allegations against him, including obstruction of justice, before informing him that no charges would be filed.
Immediately after Trump's announcement on Wednesday, Gaetz resigned from his role in the Congress, a strategy that appeared to seek avoiding further scrutiny, triggering an eight-week process under Florida law to fill his seat. Gaetz's resignation virtually ended the Ethics Committee's extensive probe into allegations of sex trafficking, drug use, and bribery—which Gaetz has consistently denied. However, many called for the report to be released anyway to illustrate his character.
The Florida congressman's sudden resignation came just two days before the House Ethics Committee was set to vote on releasing a report described as "highly damaging" to the lawmaker, two sources familiar with the matter told Axios.
Trump's nomination of Gaetz as attorney general is coming under heavy criticism, even within his party. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told reporters on Thursday that several Republican senators are unwilling to confirm Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general.
In fact, Senate Republicans, including Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), reacted with shock and disapproval, according to Punchbowl News. . Many privately added that some senators believed Gaetz would struggle to secure the votes necessary for confirmation.
Analysts and pundits quickly reacted to the decision by the president-elect, highlighting that it was was driven more by two qualities unrelated to his legal expertise: loyalty and willingness to confront.
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