(The Lion) — Embattled Republican Matt Gaetz “has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation,” the Associated Press reported.
Gaetz, a Trump loyalist, had abruptly resigned from his Florida congressional seat after Trump nominated him for the post.
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday,” Gaetz posted on X. “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.”
The conservative firebrand had been the subject of a years-long probe by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that resulted in no charges being filed against him, and a lengthy ethics probe by the U.S. House of Representatives into alleged sexual misconduct. Gaetz has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
His resignation may have ended that probe, although House Ethics members are squabbling over whether to release their findings. The Ethics committee will meet December 5th to finish its work and discuss the matter, the AP reported.
He was easily the most controversial of Trump’s cabinet nominations, with widespread speculation about whether he would win approval. Trump’s transition team did not immediately name a new AG pick.
Trump posted on his Truth Social network that Gaetz “did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” according to the AP. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Gaetz won re-election for the new Congress which convenes Jan. 3, but it is not known if he will take office, AP reports. A special election is also being planned in Florida for his seat.
Gaetz boasted of his confidence in Trump in his X post. “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
