WASHINGTON _ Rep. Matt Gaetz faces an inquiry by the House Ethics Committee for a tweet that appeared to threaten former President Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen with blackmail.
The House Ethics Committee announced Friday it will establish an investigative subcommittee to review whether Gaetz, a staunch ally of the president, sought to intimidate Cohen before he testified to the House Oversight Committee. The committee had sought an interview with Gaetz, but he declined, triggering the investigation.
"Hey (Michael Cohen) _ Do your wife & father-in-law know about your girlfriends? Maybe tonight would be a good time for that chat. I wonder if she'll remain faithful when you're in prison. She's about to learn a lot ... " the Florida Republican tweeted less than 24 hours before Cohen was due to testify about his former boss before the committee.
Gaetz later deleted the Cohen tweet and apologized.
The committee said it was launching the investigation after requesting that Gaetz submit for an interview in May, warning him if he failed to testify, the committee would establish an investigative subcommittee.
Gaetz refused to appear.
The establishment of an investigative subcommittee is the first step in any probe by the House Ethics Committee.
