'Return like Trump returned': Gaetz urged to 'double down' after report release

Despite the House Ethics Committee's findings in its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz's (R-FL) alleged sexual misconduct, a number of MAGA allies are encouraging the ex-Florida lawmaker to fight back, according to Politico.

Due to piling sexual harassment allegations last month, Gaetz withdrew his name days after Donald Trump nominated the former congressman to be the next US attorney general.

"Gaetz has to come back," former Trump White House adviser said on the Monday episode of his "War Room" podcast.

He added, “Gaetz must return like Trump returned. Don’t back down — double down."

READ MORE: Matt Gaetz suggests he could 'go after former colleagues' in House as special counsel

The Ethics Committee's report "says the committee found evidence that Gaetz paid thousands of dollars for sex; violated Florida’s statutory rape law; used cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana illegally; violated the rule on accepting gifts from lobbyists; gave friends special privileges and favors; and tried to obstruct the committee’s investigation."

Still, Trump allies like Florida "state Sen. Joe Gruters, whom the president-elect endorsed for Republican National Committee treasurer over the weekend," according to Politico, " insisted" Gaetz "could still contemplate a return to public office."

Gruters said, "Matt Gaetz was fully cleared by a highly partisan DOJ, and the release of this report serves no purpose other than to attempt to damage his reputation by those with personal or political grievances against him."

The GOP lawmaker added, "The public can see through these tactics, and Matt Gaetz continues to have a bright future in elected office or any other path he chooses to pursue."

READ MORE: 'Butterfly effect': How Matt Gaetz’s ethics probe sheds light on his feud with Kevin McCarthy

Furthermore, Politico reports, "Asked about Gaetz’s political future, Florida-based Republican political operative Jamie Miller also raised the absence of DOJ charges and said that the newly released report put the matter in the 'court of public opinion.'"

Miller emphasized, "There doesn’t seem to be new information in this report that hasn’t been previously leaked. The question becomes, does the public believe that these were youthful transgressions or do they see them as character flaws?"

READ MORE: Leaked: Damning Gaetz report details 'substantial evidence' of numerous illegal activities

Politico's full report is here.