NWLC Calls On House Ethics Committee to Release Gaetz Report in Face of His Withdrawal as AG Nominee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov 21.) – Matt Gaetz withdrew his name Thursday for consideration as U.S. attorney general. In response, Emily Martin, the chief program officer at the National Women’s Law Center, released the following statement: 

“From the start, Matt Gaetz was a profoundly unfit choice for attorney general. He was right to withdraw his name for consideration. It is clear Gaetz felt pressure to step down in the face of such damning and credible reports of his involvement in the sexual abuse and trafficking of a 17-year-old. Such allegations are, to say the least, automatic disqualifiers for anyone wanting to assume the role of the nation’s most powerful law enforcement official.

“Moreover, Gaetz’s public statements and legislative record demonstrate a consistent and vile contempt for women. He also was one of the organizers of the Jan. 6, 2021 rally that ultimately turned into a violent insurrection. For all these reasons, he was a grossly unqualified nominee.

“Although Gaetz has read the writing on the wall and removed himself for consideration for the role of Attorney General, the House Ethics Committee must still do the right thing and release its report on its investigation. The nation deserves to learn the truth about this abuse of trust and power by an elected official, despite Gaetz’s attempt to dodge the report’s release by resigning from office last week.”