Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) has withdrawn from being considered Attorney General of the Trump Administration. The Florida Republican made the announcement on social media, inciting questions of what his political future has in store.
Rep. Gaetz has been a controversial political figure as of late. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump (R) announced that he had nominated Rep. Gaetz for Attorney General. This raised questions surrounding a federal probe into alleged sex trafficking accusations.
Shortly after he was nominated, the Florida Republican resigned from the House, but an inquiry into his alleged sex trafficking involvement amplified, and now he has announced that he will no longer pursue the Attorney General position.
Despite "excellent meetings with Senators yesterday," Rep. Gaetz shared on social media that "while the moment 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," Rep. Gaetz wrote, affirming that "Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1."
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
Though he won't be part of President Trump's Administration, he noted that he remains committed to seeing 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."
Because he quit the House, he will not return to representing House District 1, so the question lingers if he'll run for the seat again. Aside from that, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have requested "the complete evidentiary file" from the FBI.
Judiciary Committee Chairman and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D) believes that the allegations against the Florida Republican are "significant" considering that Rep. Gaetz's associate, Joel Greenberg, has pled guilty to sex trafficking charges.
