What’s new

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s future is unclear after the House Ethics Committee released a report alleging the Florida Republican committed numerous ethical and potentially criminal violations, including statutory rape

The report was released Monday and revealed that the committee “found substantial evidence that Rep. Gaetz violated House rules and other standards of conduct involving prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use, improper gifts, special favors or privileges, and the Prohibit obstruction of Congress.”

Why it matters

Gaetz resigned from Congress immediately after his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to be U.S. attorney general last month.

While the report’s release was temporarily blocked by Gaetz’s resignation, the allegations raised doubts about his ability to be confirmed to Trump’s Cabinet by the U.S. Senate. He ultimately withdrew from consideration a week after his nomination.

What you should know

While the former congressman could face potential criminal and civil liability related to the allegations, Gaetz remains a popular figure among MAGA Republicans and, at 42, could also have a long political career ahead of him.

Gaetz said during a Turning Point USA event Sunday in Arizona that he could be a candidate in Florida’s 2026 gubernatorial election, become a special counsel and go after his former colleagues in the House of Representatives, or run for the soon-to-be-vacated Florida seat of Marco Rubio, Trump’s nominee for US Secretary of State, in the US Senate.

“My friend Steve Bannon and others have suggested that I return to the House of Representatives on January 3rd,” Gaetz added. “But I want to remind Steve that when he got out of prison he didn’t hit any guards on the way out. For now, I’ll enjoy being one of you.”

Because Gaetz is no longer a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he cannot be punished for any ethical violations in the House.

Newsweek emailed the Republican National Committee and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office Monday seeking comment.

What people say

Attorney and legal analyst Joey Jackson during a CNN appearance on Monday: “He has a ‘get out of jail free’ card…As long as a person in the White House is a person who is friends with him, there will be no federal prosecution, let alone an indictment.”

Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton on CNN: “I think he might run for governor. I’m not entirely sure DeSantis would appoint him to the Senate, I think the governor probably has a few other people in mind.”

The left-leaning Art Candee account on X, formerly Twitter: “Matt Gaetz should be in prison.”

What happens next

Gaetz will act as host The Matt Gaetz Showa one-hour political talk show on the right-wing One America News Network beginning January 6, 2025 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.