U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has opposed calls for the release of an ethics committee report on former Congressman Matt Gaetz, who was recently nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Attorney General.

Johnson’s comments on CNN Sunday come amid increasing bipartisan pressure for the report to be made public.

“It should not come out,” Johnson said, referring to Gaetz’s resignation from Congress. “He is no longer a member. There’s an important protocol, tradition, and rule to follow.”

Gaetz, a controversial Republican from Florida, has faced several allegations, including paying for sex with a minor, drug use, misusing campaign funds, and sharing explicit material on the House floor—accusations he has denied. His resignation effectively halted the House ethics investigation into him, after Trump’s nomination.

Despite Johnson’s opposition, members from both parties, including Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, have called for the report’s release, arguing that the Senate has a constitutional duty to vet nominees. Mullin stated on NBC that while public disclosure might not be required, “the Senate should have access to that now.”

Democrats have sharply criticized Gaetz as unfit for the position. Senator-elect Adam Schiff argued that Gaetz should be “disqualified” due to the allegations and his lack of experience within the Justice Department.

“Are we really going to appoint an attorney general with credible allegations of child sex trafficking, drug use, and obstruction of justice?” Schiff asked on CNN.

Republicans have also raised concerns. Earlier this year, Mullin recalled videos Gaetz allegedly showed on the House floor, claiming they depicted women Gaetz had been involved with.

The nomination has sparked broader criticism of Trump, with opponents suggesting that the appointment is an attempt to undermine the Justice Department, potentially halting investigations into the former president while targeting his political rivals.

Johnson defended the Senate’s ability to independently vet nominees, stating that lawmakers do not need to rely on an ethics committee report. “They will have a rigorous review and vetting process,” he said, stressing the committee’s limited authority over former members.

The controversy surrounding Gaetz’s nomination has further strained relations between Trump and congressional lawmakers as the incoming administration prepares to shape its cabinet.