“That’s Bulls—“: George Santos Slams Ethics Committee Over Gaetz Probe

Disgraced former Long Island Rep. George Santos didn’t hold back his criticism of the House Ethics Committee on Wednesday, following its deadlock on whether to release an investigative report into ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz. Gaetz, the subject of sexual misconduct allegations and a pending ethics report, is now under scrutiny as he seeks confirmation as head of the Justice Department.

Santos, expelled from Congress last December after his own ethics violations were exposed, offered strong support for Gaetz while blasting the ethics panel. “Look at the pattern. There’s a pattern and that pattern is broken. That pattern is salacious,” Santos told Raw Story. “They use it as a slap in the hand and a ‘Shame on you. You shouldn’t have done that.’ Like, ‘We caught you with the hand in the cookie jar’ kind of situation. That’s bulls—. I don’t think that that’s how it should be.”

While Santos didn’t comment directly on the validity of the allegations against Gaetz, he expressed confidence in his former colleague’s ability to secure the Justice Department role. “One can make as many allegations as they want. OK, and be wrong, yeah. That’s plain and simple,” he said.

Santos further defended Gaetz by pointing out that investigations by both Trump’s and Biden’s Departments of Justice did not result in charges. “Someone who was accused and investigated for three years by Trump’s and Biden’s DOJ and was exonerated with no indictment,” Santos stated. “Am I wrong? Two attorney generals with two separate administrations – [they] looked into Gaetz and chose not to indict him because there was no there there.”

Turning his ire back to the ethics committee, Santos criticized its leadership, singling out Chair Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS) and Ranking Member Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA). “Do you think really that Michael Guest and Susan Wild in all their infinite wisdom really are going to be the people who are going to lead the voice on this? I don’t think so. I’m sorry,” Santos said.

Despite Santos’s defense, the ethics panel’s findings remain a contentious issue that could influence Gaetz’s Senate confirmation process. Gaetz continues to face significant opposition over his nomination, with critics calling for transparency on the allegations and ethics report. Santos’s remarks reflect the ongoing divide within Republican ranks over the handling of ethics issues, even as he remains a controversial figure following his expulsion from the House.