Why was Matt Gaetz under investigation? Controversies explored as Trump taps Florida Rep. as US Attorney General

Matt Gaetz, a Republican congressman from Florida, has been in the spotlight for a range of controversies and investigations, some of which continue to shape his public image. Donald Trump’s recent decision to consider Gaetz for U.S. Attorney General has reignited attention on his legal issues.

Gaetz was under investigation for a federal s*x trafficking scandal two times— once by the Department of Justice, who cleared him of all charges last year and by the House Ethics Committee (congressional committee within the U.S. House of Representatives), the investigation for which was still on until Matt Gaetz's resignation from Congress as the committee’s jurisdiction doesn't extend to former members.

Why was Matt Gaetz under investigation?

In 2021, an FBI investigation into Matt Gaetz focused on claims that he was involved in s*xual activities with a 17-year-old minor, paid for s*x, and arranged for women to travel across state lines for s*xual purposes.

The FBI’s investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz and his associates spanned several complex areas, highlighting the extensive scope of the probe.

The investigation included a focus on a trip Matt Gaetz and associate Pirozzolo took to the Bahamas with several women. Federal agents examined whether these women were compensated or given gifts in exchange for s*x with the men, as reported by CBS News.

FBI agents also interviewed people about that trip and other similar outings involving Gaetz and his associates. They also investigated whether any of the women involved later secured government roles as part of political favors, according to sources.

In addition to reviewing financial records, investigators contacted witnesses, former staff, and others who may have known about the activities in question. The most significant development in the case emerged when it was revealed that Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector and Gaetz associate, was negotiating a plea deal, an action that made Matt Gaetz look guilty in association.

The House Ethics Committee also opened an inquiry against Matt Gaetz in 2021 of s*xual misconduct, drug use, improper gift acceptance, and potential interference in government inquiries. However, this investigation ended with Matt Gaetz resignation that was announced yesterday, on 13th November.

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Matt Gaetz denies the allegations

Matt Gaetz, now 42, has constantly denied these allegations, asserting that the Department of Justice investigation was part of a scheme to extort him. In a high-profile event organized in 2021, Matt Gaetz had said:

“I’m built for the battle and I’m not going anywhere. The smears against me range from distortions of my personal life to wild — and I mean wild — conspiracy theories.”

During Trump's presidency, Gaetz sought a pardon in anticipation of potential charges. In 2022, prosecutors recommended no charges, citing unreliable witness testimony.

Other controversies surrounding Matt Gaetz

In addition to his legal controversies, Matt Gaetz has sparked several controversies over the years.

According to AXIOS, In 2018, he invited a Holocaust denier to the State of the Union address. The following year, he hired a speechwriter previously dismissed by the Trump administration for participating in a conference with white nationalists.

Gaetz also made controversial remarks about the Second Amendment in 2021, claiming it allowed for armed rebellion against the U.S. government if needed.

Additionally, he faced backlash in 2022 for derogatory comments about women attending pro-abortion rallies. He stated:

"Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?... Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb."

Matt Gaetz's sudden resignation

According to the New York Times, a Republican source revealed that The House Ethics Committee was preparing to release a scathing report about Gaetz, just days after Trump nominated him for attorney general.

However, on November 13, Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, announced Matt Gaetz’s resignation during a news conference following the House Republicans' selection of their leadership for the upcoming Congress. Johnson stated that he had contacted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to initiate the process of scheduling a special election to fill Gaetz’s vacant seat.

Gaetz's sudden resignation effectively ends the investigation, as the Ethics Committee has no authority over former members.