Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, citing concerns that his confirmation process was becoming a distraction to the Trump administration’s transition efforts.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Gaetz expressed that while he had productive meetings with senators the day before, it became clear that his nomination was "unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition." He emphasized the importance of moving forward without delays, stating, “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.”
Gaetz continued, “I will be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General,” stressing his commitment to Trump’s vision for the country. “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.”
The decision to step down comes just a week after President-elect Trump had announced his intention to nominate Gaetz for the high-profile role, a pick that quickly sparked controversy. Gaetz, known for his vocal support of Trump and his combative style, faced immediate resistance from some Republican senators, many of whom expressed concerns about his fitness for the job.
With GOP defections a key concern—Gaetz could only afford four GOP senators voting against him, assuming unanimous Democratic opposition—it became increasingly apparent that his nomination was in jeopardy. Several Republican lawmakers had signaled discomfort with Gaetz's nomination, particularly given his ongoing ethical investigations.
In a statement following Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump expressed appreciation for Gaetz’s efforts, writing on Truth Social, “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!”
Gaetz’s decision to bow out follows significant attention on his legal and ethical challenges. Just one day before his announcement, the House Ethics Committee voted on partisan lines to withhold the findings of an extensive investigation into Gaetz that has been ongoing for more than three years. While the panel voted against releasing the report in its current form, it did not rule out the possibility of future action, with a source indicating the committee would revisit the issue in December. The committee has been probing allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and potential violations of House rules, including improper gifts and conflicts of interest.
The Ethics Committee is slated to meet again on December 5, with the report potentially being finalized by then, setting the stage for a new vote on whether to release the findings. Additionally, the full House of Representatives could be asked to vote on whether to force the release of the report, following efforts by two Democratic members to trigger such a vote after the Thanksgiving holiday.
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