Boring politicians are brought down in boring ways. But for spectacular politicians, only spectacular attacks will do. And Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is nothing if not spectacular. On Tuesday, The New York Times reported that Gaetz is under investigation for a possible sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl. To make the claims even spicier, the Times threw in words like “human trafficking.”

Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida and a close ally of former President Donald J. Trump, is being investigated by the Justice Department over whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old and paid for her to travel with him, according to three people briefed on the matter.