Mike Johnson opposes release of Trump candidate Matt Gaetz's ethics report

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Sunday that the House Ethics Committee should not be released Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Donald Trump’s new president. A report on the investigation into choose to be attorney general.

“This shouldn’t be coming out,” Johnson said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Johnson, Gaetz resigned from congress and said the committee should not investigate private citizens. CNN host Jake Tapper pointed out that the Ethics Committee has issued reports in the past following the resignation of its members.

“I wasn’t the speaker at the time,” Johnson said.

But some conservative friends of Johnson and Gaetz said the report should not have been kept behind closed doors, at least for members of the upper chamber. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the Ethics Committee “absolutely” should release its report on Gaetz.

“This definitely needs to be part of our decision-making process,” he said. “Matt Gaetz’s background is really important.

“Now, should it be made public or not? I think that will be part of the negotiations,” he said.

Trump’s selection of Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general sent shock waves through the political system. Gaetz, fiercely loyal to Trump, has clashed with many in his own party and is known for his political antics and incendiary rhetoric.

Gaetz’s choice fueled fears That Trump could pursue a revenge agenda against his perceived enemies. The former congressman has often been Trump’s attack dog when it comes to going after critics.

Johnson said he expects Trump’s nominees to “shake up the status quo.”

“You can’t make status quo appointments at a moment like this,” he said, adding: “It’s a new day in America, these people will help make it happen.”

Gaetz has been investigated by federal law enforcement, and some Senate Republicans who must confirm his nomination have expressed interest in learning more about the ethical questions still swirling around him.

The Justice Department investigated sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz. The investigation ended without charges, but the House Ethics Committee continued to review the allegation that he assaulted a 17-year-old boy.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said last week that he and other lawmakers should have access to the Ethics Committee report, which also includes allegations of illegal drug use and other accusations.

Johnson also discussed Sunday trying to implement Trump’s policy agenda in Congress, including tax cuts and immigration reform. Asked about eliminating taxes on tipped wages, as Trump has promised, Johnson said he’d “like to get by with that” but “you’ve got to do the math” to make sure it can be paid for.

Johnson was asked whether the American people were prepared for the major disruptions that could occur if Trump deported everyone who was in the country illegally.

“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” he said, adding that he expects the criminals to be deported.

“Start there and see how it turns out,” he said. “This will take a lot of thoughtful work and negotiation.”

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