Matt Gaetz Withdraws From AG Nomination
Did establishment Republican pressure cause Gaetz to capitulate?
On November 21, 2024, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz announced that he is withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for United States Attorney General. "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many," Gaetz announced in a statement published on his X/Twitter account.
After being tapped to serve as AG, Gaetz faced increasing scrutiny about allegations of sexual misconduct. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," stated Gaetz. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General," he added.
The Department of Justice's probe into whether Gaetz sex trafficked a minor girl ended in 2023 without any charges being filed. However, the House Ethics Committee subsequently launched its own probe of allegations that Gaetz was involved in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, accepted improper gifts, granted special favors to personal contacts, and attempted to obstruct government attempts to investigate his personal behavior.
Gaetz has rejected assertions that he had sexual intercourse with an underage girl. His decision to leave Congress after being nominated for AG ended the ethics investigation due to how he was longer under the committee's jurisdiction.
Trump subsequently declared in a Truth Social post on November 21 that Gaetz "was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect."
Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the president-elect’s transition team, said in a statement that Trump "remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system."
Trump ended up nominating former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (2011-2019) for the AG spot. With Gaetz out of Congress, a major void has to be filled in Florida’s 1st congressional district. Gaetz is a certified America First nationalist who champions a restrained foreign policy, gun rights, and immigration restriction. His presence in Congress will definitely be missed. Hopefully, he will run for higher office in Florida, whether it be for the Sunshine State’s governorship or AG position.