Speaker Johnson characterizes Gaetz ethics report as a 'rough draft' and advises against its release.

On Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the investigation into Matt Gaetz by the House Ethics Committee is a "Pandora's box" and should not be made public.

"According to the Louisiana Republican who spoke on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, the report is not yet finished and is in a rough draft form. It was not ready to be released, and since Matt Gaetz left Congress, it may not be appropriate to do so."

Last week, Punchbowl News reported that Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress just two days before the House Ethics Committee was set to vote on releasing its report, which investigated allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and other wrongdoing.

Johnson stated that Matt Gaetz's actions could lead to the House Ethics Committee using all of its resources and powers to target private citizens, which he believes would be a Pandora's box.

The Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz will end since the panel's authority only extends to House members.

The attorney for the woman accusing Gaetz of having a sexual relationship with her when she was a minor urged the Ethics committee to disclose its report on Thursday.

Johnson believes the Senate should not base the confirmation of the former Florida congressman solely on the report.

"Johnson stated that the Senate has a role under the Constitution to provide advice and consent, and they will perform it. However, they will have a rigorous review and vetting process, but they do not need to rely on a report or a draft report prepared by the Ethics committee for limited purposes."

Johnson and Gaetz didn't immediately respond to CNBC's emails for comments.

The House Ethics Committee should "absolutely" release the Gaetz report, according to Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.

"If Matt Gaetz is qualified, he will be given the same chances as all of President Trump's nominees, as advised and consented by the Senate. I didn't know he was an attorney until after his appointment as attorney general, so I had to research him," Mullin said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

If Gaetz were confirmed as U.S. attorney general, the Department of Justice, which previously investigated him for sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl, would be the agency he would lead.

On Friday, a lawyer for a woman claimed to have witnessed Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with a minor, according to NBC News.

According to attorney Joel Leppard, his client testified before the House Ethics Committee that she observed Rep. Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with a minor at a house party in Orlando in 2017.

In September, Gaetz declared he would stop cooperating with the House panel and shared a letter denying any sexual activity with individuals under 18.

— CNBC's Kevin Breuninger contributed to this story.