What's Happening

Politics

The House Finally Released Its Long-Awaited Report on Matt Gaetz

What's going on: After a yearslong investigation, the bipartisan House Ethics Committee released its 37-page report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), based on the review of 14,000 documents and over two dozen interviews. The report found “substantial evidence” that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old in 2017, violating Florida’s statutory rape law. It also concluded he “regularly” paid for sex, used ecstasy and cocaine on “multiple occasions,” and accepted improper gifts, including a Bahamas trip. The committee accuses the former lawmaker of violating House rules and state and federal laws. However, it found no evidence of sex trafficking, echoing the Department of Justice’s earlier findings. Gaetz, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, attempted to block the report’s release hours before it became public and later posted excerpts on X that he claims clear him of wrongdoing. 

What it means: The report comes just weeks after Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general, amid growing demands from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle for its release. While the committee’s findings hold no legal weight, Politico reports that they are likely to shake up the Republican Party after some members fought to keep the report under wraps. The findings also put Gaetz’s political future in limbo, as he’s no longer a member of Congress. He’s slated to host a talk show on the conservative One America News Network and has floated the idea of running for office again — either for Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) seat or as Florida’s governor in 2026. 

Related: Are Some Democrats Now Supporting Defense Secretary Nominee Pete Hegseth? (The Hill)

Investigative

The High Cost of a False Sense of Safety in Schools

What's going on: Schools across the US have spent more than $100 million on window film marketed as bulletproof, but an investigation by The Wall Street Journal revealed these products fail to stop bullets as advertised. The WSJ says some companies use deceptive demonstrations with thicker-than-standard glass or low-powered firearms to convince school officials the films provide meaningful protection. The sales tactics are often predatory, invoking high-profile tragedies like Sandy Hook and The Covenant School shootings in Tennessee, where attackers gained entry by shooting through glass. Experts say these window films wouldn’t have prevented such incidents. But, districts in Dallas, Nashville, and New Rochelle, NY, have bought into this, often citing fears from recent school shootings as justification. Some major window film companies argue their products could simply serve as tools to delay entry, potentially frustrate attackers, or make it harder to shoot through entirely, buying precious minutes for rescuers to arrive.

What it means: The investigation highlights the troubling lack of regulation and transparency in the school safety industry. With most comprehensive gun reforms stalled, schools are turning to alternative safety measures. However, this report raises questions about the effectiveness of these initiatives. Many districts may be operating under a false sense of security, believing they’ve made meaningful progress in protecting students, when these efforts can often provide only minimal benefit — or worse, merely create the illusion of safety. The use of public funds on ineffective products also raises concerns about accountability and whether resources could be better spent on initiatives that genuinely enhance student safety.

Related: How Trump’s Cabinet Picks May Impact Gun Policy (The Trace)

Entertainment

The NFL Is Betting Big on Netflix. Will It Pay Off?

What's going on: Nothing says Christmas morning like presents, eggnog, and…football on Netflix? The NFL wants that to be the new norm with a little help from the streaming platform. For the first time, Netflix will stream two NFL games tomorrow, thanks to a deal announced earlier this year. Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the second game pits the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans. But more importantly, Mariah Carey, the Queen of Christmas, and Beyoncé will perform at the halftime shows. Now, many are hoping Netflix doesn’t drop the ball on Christmas.

What it means: Netflix doesn’t exactly have the best track record with live streaming. In recent years, viewers have experienced tech glitches, from massive delays during a Love Is Blind reunion episode to buffering issues during the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson match-up. But the company says it has learned from those fumbles and has taken steps to prevent future tech issues. Meanwhile, tomorrow’s match-ups are part of Netflix’s larger game plan to expand live programming for its 270 million global subscribers. That might not be what traditional TV platforms, which have long dominated live sports broadcasting, want to hear.

Related: Netflix Scored the Streaming Rights for the Women’s World Cup (Axios)