Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) has come under scrutiny for leaking details from an unfinished ethics report about former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). The leaks surfaced during Gaetz’s contentious nomination for attorney general, creating a firestorm of controversy.
The House Ethics Committee was split over whether to release findings from the investigation into Gaetz, leading to a decision against public disclosure. Despite this, parts of the report were leaked to the press. Wild, identified as the source, later admitted to her actions.
Wild’s absence from a recent Ethics Committee meeting, where Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) served as acting ranking member, fueled speculation about her role in the controversy. Her office claimed she skipped the meeting out of frustration with the handling of the report.
The leaks came at a critical time as Gaetz’s nomination faced resistance in the Senate. Ultimately, his nomination was withdrawn due to insufficient support. Critics have questioned whether the leaks were politically motivated, aimed at derailing Gaetz’s confirmation.
Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), chair of the Ethics Committee, has not disclosed whether Wild will participate in future meetings. Wild, who lost her seat to Republican Ryan Mackenzie, is set to leave Congress at year’s end.
The revelations have drawn attention to concerns about partisanship within the Ethics Committee. Critics warn that the misuse of confidential information could damage the panel’s credibility, making it harder to conduct impartial investigations in the future.
