by Sharon Rondeau
(Nov. 21, 2024) — President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, 42, withdrew his name from consideration early Thursday afternoon.
In a post on X just before 12:30 p.m. EST, Gaetz wrote:
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate the 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. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”
In conclusion Gaetz added, “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.”
Self-described as a “firebrand” and often bucking his own party, Gaetz represented Florida’s first congressional district from January 2016 until November 13, the same day Trump announced him as his pick to lead the U.S. Justice Department as attorney general.
On Wednesday, Vice President-Elect J.D. Vance escorted Gaetz through the Senate, where Vance still serves, in an effort to convince possible naysayers to support the nomination.
Gaetz was the subject of an investigation by the Justice Department beginning in 2021 but was ultimately not prosecuted. A House Ethics Committee probe was held in abeyance until Justice ended its inquiry, after which the Ethics Committee resumed its work until Gaetz’s resignation last week.
The committee’s debate over whether to release the report, which is reportedly incomplete, resulted Wednesday in a majority vote along party lines to withhold it.
Another meeting is scheduled for December 5 to discuss the status of the report.
It is unclear what impact Gaetz’s withdrawal from the nomination will have on whether the report is ultimately made public, though Congress has no authority over its former members.
Trump reacted to Gaetz’s decision by thanking Gaetz’s for his overtures to the Senate toward confirmation.
“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” Trump posted on TruthSocial. “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!”
Update, 1:24 p.m. EST: Following Gaetz’s withdrawal announcement, Fox News’s Todd Pergram reported that although Gaetz is not now a member of Congress, he might be able to serve in the upcoming 119th Congress because he was re-elected on November 5.