“Sex-trafficking, Obstruction of Justice, and Abuse of Power”: Watchdog Seeks Records on Matt Gaetz Amid AG Nomination
Trump announced that he picked Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
A nonpartisan watchdog group is seeking a preliminary injunction to obtain interview records from the federal investigation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who has been nominated for attorney general. American Oversight filed the motion Tuesday to access FBI summaries of witness interviews from the investigation, which included allegations of sex trafficking of a minor.
The group initially requested the records in March 2023 under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) but received no response. After months of inaction, the organization sued the FBI and the Justice Department in February 2024, arguing that further delays could withhold critical information from the public ahead of Gaetz’s confirmation process.
“Sex trafficking, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power are not the kind of questions that should hang over the head of someone being considered for U.S. Attorney General,” said Chioma Chukwu, American Oversight’s interim Executive Director, in a statement. “This is a matter of public interest and integrity, and we expect the court to recognize the urgency of releasing these documents. The American people deserve to know the facts before the Senate votes on his nomination.”
American Oversight emphasized the heightened public interest in their motion, citing “the unusual circumstances of Mr. Gaetz potentially leading the agency holding the records relating to his investigation,” according to a report by The New York Times.
Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations of misconduct, pointing to the Justice Department’s decision not to prosecute him as vindication of his innocence. However, lingering questions about his past behavior continue to cloud his nomination.
Testimony from an attorney representing two women alleged that Gaetz paid the women for sex, including one instance where the former congressman allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl during his time in Congress. These claims have fueled controversy as the Senate prepares to evaluate his nomination.
Additionally, the House Ethics Committee has conducted a yearslong investigation into Gaetz, probing allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and campaign fund misuse. The committee is scheduled to vote Wednesday on whether to release a report detailing their findings.
The watchdog group argues that transparency about Gaetz’s past is crucial for public trust, especially as he is considered for a role overseeing federal law enforcement. Whether the court will grant the injunction and expedite the release of the records remains to be seen.
