Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz has retracted his Attorney General nomination, amid an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee into alleged sexual misconduct and drug use. Despite denying any accusations and attributing the investigation to a “smear” campaign led by former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Gaetz acknowledged his lack of support from Republican senators.
President-elect Donald Trump had been discussing Gaetz’s possible confirmation with Republican senators and associates. However, he did not want to jeopardize the swift establishment of an Attorney General due to an expected deluge of executive orders that might face legal opposition.
According to insiders, Gaetz realized he didn’t have sufficient backing from Republican senators. At least 15 GOP senators might have resisted his nomination, and one senator confirmed there were at least eight firm “no” votes for Gaetz, a number that remained unchanging.
Trump had selected Gaetz to head the Justice Department as the nation’s leading law enforcement officer. Subsequently, Gaetz resigned his House seat and met with Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, an Ohio senator, who would supervise his confirmation hearings.
In a social media post, Gaetz stated that his confirmation process was detracting from the incoming Trump administration’s work. Gaetz informed both Trump and Vance about his decision to withdraw his nomination, which Trump appreciated, saying that Gaetz did not want to be a distraction for the administration.
The Justice Department had previously investigated Gaetz on sex trafficking and obstruction allegations but decided not to charge him. However, new testimony to the Ethics Committee by a woman alleging two encounters with Gaetz when she was a minor has surfaced.
Several senators had expressed concerns about Gaetz’s appointment as attorney general, doubting he would secure confirmation. Upon his withdrawal, many senators felt it was the right decision.
This marks the first significant setback to Trump’s efforts to fill his Cabinet and key administration posts for his second term. Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Secretary of Defense pick, is also under scrutiny for an alleged sexual assault in 2017.
The Ethics Committee has been investigating allegations against Gaetz of sexual misconduct, drug use, improper gift acceptance, and favoritism. Multiple sources said that four women told the committee they were paid to attend parties with Gaetz that involved sex and drugs.
Gaetz’s decision to withdraw his name from consideration ends the Ethics Committee’s involvement in the matter.
