GOP’S No. 2 leader: Party would act against Gaetz
WASHINGTON – House Republicans would “take action” on Rep. Matt Gaetz if the Justice Department formally moves against him, the chamber’s No. 2 GOP leader said Wednesday.
The remarks by Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana made him the latest of many congressional Republicans who have opted against defending Gaetz, a Florida Republican. Federal agents are investigating Gaetz over allegations that include sex trafficking and sex with a minor, according to two people who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Scalise said that in recent years, party leaders have removed Republican lawmakers facing serious charges from their committee assignments. That was essentially a restatement of the House GOP’S internal rules, which require lawmakers to resign from committees if they are indicted on felony charges with penalties of at least two years in prison.
“If something really formal happened from Justice, we would of course react and take action,” Scalise said.
A frequent face on conservative television networks and an ardent ally of former President Donald Trump, Gaetz denies the accusations and not been charged with any crimes. He serves on the Armed Services and Judiciary committees, and critics have said he should be removed from the Judiciary panel because it oversees the Justice Department.
Scalise did not answer questions about his confidence in Gaetz. Scalise said he has not discussed the allegations with Gaetz but expected to meet with him this week.
“It’s serious things alleged. Obviously, we want to get the facts,” Scalise said.
Gaetz did not attend a weekly closed-door meeting of House Republicans on Wednesday, Scalise said. Asked for comment Tuesday after returning to Washington from Congress’ two-week Easter recess, Gaetz referred reporters to a column he wrote last week saying he had not paid for sex and accusing his critics of being corrupt.
Florida’s two Republican senators have also steered clear of voicing support for Gaetz. Most Republicans have taken neutral stances or said nothing about the three-term House lawmaker. “Sure, and I don’t think anyone’s saying they’re not,” Sen. Marco Rubio said Tuesday when a reporter suggested the allegations are serious. “And he’s pretty firm in his denial, so we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out.” Rubio said he’s not spoken with Gaetz since news of the investigation emerged in March.
On Monday, Sen. Rick Scott said Gaetz faces “pretty serious allegations” but didn’t say what should happen to him. “I think we’ve got to get all the facts,” Scott said.
Rubio and Scott are considered potential 2024 presidential hopefuls.
Gaetz has said he will not resign. Trump issued a brief statement last week noting that Gaetz “has totally denied the accusations against him.”
Gaetz is also the focus of a bipartisan investigation by the House Ethics Committee of accusations including sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, spending campaign funds for personal use and accepting a bribe or impermissible gift. The committee has provided no additional detail.
Gaetz, 38, became engaged on New Year’s Eve at Trump’s Mar-a-lago compound in Florida.
On Tuesday, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said a local GOP organization should cancel plans for Gaetz to be keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner in August and said he would not attend if Gaetz appeared.
On Sunday, No. 3 House GOP leader Liz Cheney of Wyoming called the accusations against Gaetz “sickening” but didn’t suggest he should resign. Cheney’s was among 10 House Republicans to vote for Trump’s House impeachment in January, and Gaetz has called for her defeat.