Likely no charges against Republican troublemaker Matt Gaetz Spy balloon lifted off the Chinese island of Hainan

According to CNN, investigations have been ongoing since the end of 2020 against the Republican, who has been in the House of Representatives for his Florida constituency since 2017 and is considered an ally of former President Donald Trump.

Gaetz was suspected of having a sexual relationship with a minor and paying for her travel. In the US, this could constitute a criminal offense of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Gaetz had always denied the allegations, describing them as a smear campaign.

Gaetz repeatedly draws attention to himself with provocative statements. He only came to the limelight in early January when he and a handful of other MPs from the party’s far right postponed the election of Kevin McCarthy as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives. Instead of voting for McCarthy, Gaetz even nominated Trump for the office.

Kevin McCarthy only got the necessary majority for office on the 15th ballot with Gaetz’s approval. Not since the 19th century had members of the House of Representatives taken so many attempts to elect a new leader. In exchange for their votes, Gaetz and his fellow campaigners had demanded large concessions from McCarthy that would permanently weaken the chairman’s power. (sda/dpa)