Heute Nachmittag hat der ehemalige Abgeordnete Matt Gaetz seine Nominierung zum US-Justizminister in der Regierung des designierten Präsidenten Donald J. Trump zurückgezogen. Common Cause hatte sich gegen Gaetz‘ Nominierung ausgesprochen und den Ethikausschuss des Repräsentantenhauses aufgefordert, den Bericht über seine Untersuchung zahlreicher Vorwürfe krimineller Aktivitäten des ehemaligen Abgeordneten zu veröffentlichen, der wenige Tage vor der erwarteten Veröffentlichung des Berichts des Ausschusses zurückgetreten war. Common Cause fordert nach dem Rückzug von Gaetz‘ Nominierung weiterhin die Veröffentlichung des Berichts.

Erklärung von Common Cause-Präsidentin und CEO Virginia Kase Solomón

Americans deserve the truth. We deserve to see the full report of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation of former Rep. Gaetz which has been widely reported to include numerous allegations of criminal conduct including sex crimes and illegal drug use.

Despite his resignation from the 118^th Congress, Gaetz is still an elected Member of the 119^th Congress and may serve in the House again or be offered a high level role within the administration that does not require confirmation. For those reasons, the report must be released.. The nation deserves to know the truth about who is serving at the highest levels of government.

The nomination, which was vigorously opposed by Common Cause, was reckless, irresponsible and an insult to the American people. It showed contempt for the rule of law by the President-elect and the American people deserve to know exactly what the House Ethics Committee uncovered about the alleged criminal conduct of the former nominee.

The Senate must remain vigilant and guard against any of the reported efforts by the President-elect to bypass the Senate confirmation process for his nominees.