Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general on Thursday, claiming that controversy over his nomination is causing a distraction for the Trump-Vance transition team. Gaetz, who had already resigned his seat in Congress in anticipation of taking up the new office, cites “excellent meetings” and “thoughtful feedback” from Senators, which ultimately persuaded him to avoid a “needlessly protracted Washington scuffle” over his nomination.
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. 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. 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. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz wrote. “I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
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Gatez’s confirmation was shaping up to be a challenge for the incoming Trump administration in light of old ethics complaints and sexual misconduct allegations that resurfaced after his nomination. While these claims have never been substantiated by either Congressional probes or law enforcement investigations, the stain on his name had prompted multiple Republican lawmakers to speak out against installing him as attorney general.
Just over a week ago, Gaetz resigned from his Congressional seat effectively immediately, taking his fellow Republicans by surprise.
“I asked him what the reasoning was, and he said, ‘Well, you can’t have too many absences,’” Speaker Mike Johnson said during a press conference. “So under Florida State law, there’s about an eight week period to select and fill in a vacant seat.”
NEWS
Speaker Johnson says that Congressman Matt Gaetz, the Attorney General-designate, has already submitted his letter of resignation as a member of Congress effective immediately.
Johnson says he believes this will allow Republicans to fill Gaetz’s seat by January 3rd. pic.twitter.com/vJFSmCtmHT
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 14, 2024
Work had already begun to fill his seat, with Johnson anticipating a new appointee as soon as the start of the new Congressional term on January 3, 2025.
UPDATE: Trump released a statement on Gaetz’s decision via Truth Social, saying, “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He 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. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Trump released a statement on Gaetz’s decision, writing, “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He 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. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Connor Walcott is the lead writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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