Matt Gaetz requested for pardon from Trump over intercourse trafficking scandal: Report

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was allegedly searching for a preemptive pardon from former President Donald Trump for a Justice Division investigation into whether or not the congressman violated federal intercourse legal guidelines, a former White Home aide testified.

Gaetz advised John McEntee, who served because the director of the White Home Presidential Personnel Workplace within the Trump administration, that he had requested Trump chief of employees Mark Meadows for a pardon after he realized that an investigation into him was launched, McEntee testified to the Home of Consultant choose committee investigating the occasions of Jan. 6.

McEntee added that Gaetz advised him “he didn't do something incorrect however they're attempting to make his life hell, and you realize, if the president may give him a pardon, that will be nice," sources who've heard the testimony advised the Washington Put up.

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Though Gaetz didn't particularly inform McEntee that it was associated to the DOJ's investigation, McEntee stated he believed that was the context of the statements.

The Justice Division was investigating whether or not Gaetz paid for girls to journey throughout state strains for intercourse, whether or not he had paid for intercourse in any respect, and whether or not he had a sexual relationship with a minor who was 17. Gaetz has denied all allegations, saying the final time he had a sexual relationship with somebody who was 17 was when he was additionally 17.

McEntee stated that he had solely spoken with Gaetz about pardons as soon as, however couldn't recall if it was earlier than or after the occasions of Jan. 6. Gaetz had supported broad preemptive pardons for individuals within the Trump administration on the finish of Trump's time period in 2020.

A spokesperson for the congressman advised the Washington Put up that Gaetz has by no means requested Trump for a pardon, however didn't touch upon whether or not he requested Meadows for one.

“Congressman Matt Gaetz mentioned pardons for a lot of different individuals publicly and privately on the finish of President Donald Trump’s first time period,” the spokesperson stated. “As for himself, President Trump addressed this malicious rumor greater than a yr in the past stating, ‘Congressman Matt Gaetz has by no means requested me for a pardon.’ Rep. Gaetz continues to face by President Trump’s assertion.”

The congressman from Florida has not been charged, however one among his associates pleaded responsible final spring to 6 felony costs, one among which concerned the intercourse trafficking of a minor.