Matt Gaetz has intensified following President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Gaetz as attorney general. Recent days have seen new allegations against Gaetz surface, just as lawmakers debate the release of a report on his alleged misconduct.

The Justice Department’s investigation into Gaetz originally stemmed from the indictment of his associate, Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector. In 2021, Greenberg took a plea deal, admitting to charges including child sex trafficking and wire fraud, and was subsequently sentenced to 11 years in prison. Reports indicated that Greenberg provided law enforcement with information implicating Gaetz in paying women for sex—a potential violation of federal sex trafficking laws.

Despite Gaetz's denials of any wrongdoing, new claims have emerged, suggesting he boasted about his encounters with women and shared explicit videos with colleagues. The DOJ concluded its investigation into Gaetz in 2023 without pressing charges, citing potential credibility issues with key witnesses, including Greenberg and one of Gaetz’s former girlfriends.

Lawmakers are now in a quandary over releasing a report compiled by the House Ethics Committee, which examined allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, improper gift acceptance, and attempts to obstruct investigations. The committee has deposed several witnesses, including a woman who claimed to have had sex with Gaetz while underage.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has advised against releasing the report. However, attorney Dan Leppard, representing the women involved, is advocating for its release, arguing that his clients do not wish to testify again, especially in a high-profile Senate hearing.

Gaetz has vehemently denied all allegations, maintaining in a 2021 statement and through a spokesperson that he never paid for sex nor engaged in sexual activity with a minor. Trump's nomination of Gaetz faces substantial GOP scrutiny, with reports suggesting that up to 30 Republican lawmakers might oppose his confirmation.

As both parties brace for a contentious confirmation process, speculation rises about whether Trump will resort to recess appointments to bypass Senate approval. Democrats, still controlling the Senate until January, are considering reviewing Gaetz’s FBI file and consulting with the women accusing him as they prepare to challenge his confirmation. With Republicans holding a sufficient majority to approve nominees without Democratic support, the outcome remains uncertain.