Gaetz Steps Back from Trump’s Attorney General Selection

Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz announced on Thursday that he has officially withdrawn from consideration for the role of attorney general. This decision follows a week marked by controversy surrounding his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump.

In a post on X, previously known as Twitter, Gaetz explained that he reached his decision after discussions with senators on Capitol Hill. He stated, “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle,” hinting at concerns regarding his potential confirmation by the GOP-majority Senate.

Gaetz’s nomination drew attention to an upcoming House Ethics Committee report, which is anticipated to address serious allegations against him, including accusations of sexual misconduct with a minor and illicit drug use. The committee has postponed the report’s release and will meet again on December 5 to deliberate on its potential publication.

Reports surfaced indicating that Gaetz had made over $10,000 in payments to two women who provided testimony to the Ethics Committee. These payments, made via PayPal and Venmo between mid-2017 and early 2019, were allegedly for sexual services, according to evidence presented during closed-door sessions.

Prominent Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, expressed hesitance about making the report public due to Gaetz’s resignation. Johnson remarked that it would be inappropriate to utilize committee resources against individuals no longer serving in Congress.

Michael Guest, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, suggested that Gaetz’s withdrawal should conclude any discussion about the committee’s role in the proceedings. “He is no longer a member of Congress, so I think this settles any involvement,” Guest stated to CBS News.

Gaetz’s decision was met with relief by some of those who had testified against him. Joel Leppard, the attorney representing two witnesses, noted that they were eager to move forward, thankful to have that chapter behind them.

In response to Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump expressed gratitude for Gaetz’s efforts in seeking the attorney general position. “He was doing very well but did not want to be a distraction,” Trump remarked on Truth Social. However, some critics, like former acting assistant attorney general Mary McCord, remarked that Gaetz’s nomination had highlighted troubling issues within the Justice Department regarding experience and qualifications.

Gaetz left office shortly after his nomination, although he had previously won re-election for the upcoming 119th Congress. His resignation letter indicated he would not take the oath for that term, a decision complicated by his nomination for attorney general.

As the situation evolves, Trump’s top nominee for the Justice Department appears to be his former personal attorney, Todd Blanche, who was named deputy attorney general last week. Alongside Blanche, Trump nominated Emil Bove for principal associate deputy attorney general and John Sauer as solicitor general. The outcome of these nominations and their implications for the Justice Department remain to be seen.