Matt Gaetz has removed his name from the running for Attorney General, citing the distraction his scandal was causing Trump’s transition team as his reason for withdrawing.
What scandal, you may ask? Back in 2020, the DOJ opened an investigation into Matt Gaetz based on his good pal Joel Greenberg’s confession to s*x trafficking of a minor and other crimes. People claim Gaetz regularly bragged about the women he met through Greenberg. Women who, it turns out, might have actually been girls. The DOJ ultimately closed its investigation into Gaetz without citing a reason, but anonymous sources close to the case said it was because they were concerned a jury wouldn’t find the witnesses credible (not necessarily that they didn’t have enough evidence to convict).
Separately, the House Ethics Committee opened their own investigation, as happens when there’s reason to suspect a member of the House is acting unethically. The committee is only allowed to investigate sitting House members, however, so when Matt Gaetz resigned within hours of the announcement of his name for AG, the committee had to stop in their tracks.
But they’ve been at work for a while. So there’s lots of hot goss in the Ethics Committee’s report. The committee was unable to reach a decision this week on whether or not to release the report, but many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are calling for it to be released.
This is a major opportunity for Dems to fight as dirty as the Republicans like to, as I discussed in my video on Wednesday. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said that the ethics report shouldn’t be released because “that’s not the way we do things in the House.” Perfect. Make him do it anyway. These “norms” and “rules” aren’t serving anyone. My tax dollars were spent on this investigation, you work for me, send me the deliverable!!!! I expect it on my desk by EOD!!!
Further questions remain as to whether Gaetz can get his seat back in Congress. He did just win re-election, but his resignation explicitly said he didn’t plan on coming back for the next Congressional term. This is Democrats’ chance to prove they have some pizazz. Force the release of the report and then bar him from holding office ever again under the 14th Amendment. I double dog dare you.
For more:
What to know about Matt Gaetz’s investigation, sexual misconduct allegations (Washington Post)
Other headlines I’m watching:
Trump names longtime ally Pam Bondi as his new attorney general pick after Matt Gaetz withdraws (NBC)
- Bondi is the former AG of can you guess which state? If you said Florida you would be correct!!!! Because of course! She’s currently a lobbyist and acted as Trump’s defense attorney during his first impeachment trial. She was also involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and, as Florida AG, accepted questionable monetary contributions from Trump around the same time she decided not to open an investigation into Trump University. Sounds about right.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Threatens to Unveil Republican Party’s Sex Crimes and Settlements (Washington Informer)
- MTG is defending her good pal Matt Gaetz by threatening to sink the whole ship if they agree to release his ethics report. All the more reason to do it. Spill the tea, MTG!!
John Fetterman offers his office bathroom to Sarah McBride as she says she’ll follow GOP rules on restroom usage (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- US Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is wasting time and taxpayer money on trying to pass a bill that requires lawmakers to use the bathroom based on the gender they were assigned at birth, explicitly targeting representative-elect Sarah McBride, the first out trans rep in US history. McBride has handled the harassment with grace, and while I don’t agree with Fetterman on everything this is the kind of thing Dems should be doing to stand up to conservative BS.
Several of Trump’s Cabinet picks — and Trump himself — have been accused of sexual misconduct (AP)
- Trump, Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr., Elon Musk, and Linda McMahon have all faced allegations. Talk about a parade of horribles.
Donald Trump's Deportation Plan Causes 'Panic' Among Farmers (Newsweek)
- “Agricultural output will fall between $30 and $60 billion if Trump's flagship policy is carried out, according to the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC).”
The ‘Landslide’ That Wasn’t: Trump and Allies Pump Up His Narrow Victory (NY Times)
- Now that pretty much all the votes have been tallied, it looks like he beat Kamala by about 1.6%. That’s the third smallest margin of victory since 1888 and hardly the “mandate” Trump claims it is.
The 15 Democrats Who Voted to Give Trump Insane New Powers (The New Republic)
- House bill H.R. 9495, The Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act, passed on Thursday with all Republicans voting in favor along with 15 Democrats. It would allow the Treasury Secretary to revoke a non-profit’s tax-exempt status by labeling it “terrorist-supporting.” It’s aimed at pro-Palestinian protestors and organizations, is a clear curb on free speech, and would give Trump more power to go after his “enemies from within.” It likely won’t go anywhere for now, but keep your eyes peeled for the same bill to be introduced once the Republicans have a trifecta in the new year. If your Rep is on this list, maybe now's the time to get annoying as hell and give them a call.
This is an excerpt from a longer newsletter. CLICK HERE to continue reading, plus access special curated lists of recommended headlines, podcasts, books, my favorite memes of the week, and more, exclusively for Patreon subscribers.
