'If the rumors are true': WI GOP rep signals he’ll join Dems in demanding Gaetz report

Of all the controversial picks that President-elect Donald Trump has made for his incoming second administration, the one that is generating the most controversy is his choice for U.S. attorney general: former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida).

Gaetz is a polarizing figure not only among Democrats, but also, among Republicans. And it remains to be seen whether or not he can be confirmed in the U.S. Senate — which will be controlled by Republicans in 2025.

Many Republicans in Congress still resent Gaetz for the role he played in former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-California) being ousted as House speaker.

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Bad blood has existed between Gaetz and conservative Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin), who told CNN he favors releasing a House Ethics Committee report on the MAGA ex-congressman.

Gaetz was investigated for sex trafficking allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), although he was never charged with anything — and the investigation was dropped. Separately, the Trump ally was the subject of a House Ethics Committee probe that concluded with a still-unreleased report.

On November 20, CNN's Manu Raju asked Van Orden if he would vote to release the Ethics report. And the GOP congressman responded, "I think it's very important that everybody has as much knowledge as possible so that they can make an informed decision…. That's a yes."

Van Orden went on to tell Raju, "If the rumors are true about Mr. Gaetz's conduct, then there should be referrals to other agencies. And if they're not true, then there's a whole lot of people that owe him an apology."

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Raju, after the interview, told his CNN colleague Erin Burnett that Van Orden is not the only Republican who wants to see the House Ethics report released.

Raju told Burnett, "On the Senate side, there are lots of Republicans…. who want to see…. The details in the House Ethics Committee report. And there are others on the House side who have had a fraught relationship with Gaetz over the years."

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