Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., withdrew his candidacy as attorney general to newly elected President Donald Trump after allegations of sexual misconduct.
Trump announced his nomination for Florida’s conservative congressman on Wednesday, November 13. After meeting with other senators to discuss the position, Gaetz went to X on Thursday afternoon to confirm his withdrawal and what led him to do so.
“It is clear that my appointment unfairly became a distraction from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition,” Gaetz wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted scuffle in Washington, so I will withdraw my name from serving as attorney general.”
Gaetz was one of Trump’s more controversial Cabinet picks as he faces charges of statutory rape and sex trafficking by paying for sex with a 17-year-old and traveling with her across state lines. On Wednesday, November 20, the House Ethics Committee decided not to issue a long-awaited report on the allegations against Gaetz. Gaetz has steadfastly denied all allegations.
Following his withdrawal, here’s what social media is saying about Gaetz.
See fellow congressmen, political pundits react to Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from X
What’s next for Gaetz? Matt Gaetz withdraws nomination for attorney general. Can he get his job back? Senator Gaetz?
Matt Gaetz has already resigned from Congress. Can he get his seat back?
Several tweets have touted that since Gaetz resigned from Congress last week, he is currently “unemployed.” But is that true?
He won reelection in November, his election was certified Tuesday by the state Elections Canvassing Commission, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has not yet called a special election; However, it is still unclear whether Gaetz will retake his seat in the House of Representatives in January when his next term would begin, or attempt to run again.
While a return to the private sector seems likely, there has been speculation about whether DeSantis could appoint him to Marco Rubio’s vacant senator spot, or whether Gaetz had the governor’s mansion in mind.
This article originally appeared in the Florida Times-Union: Rep. Matt Gaetz resigned from the Trump Cabinet. Which members of Congress tweet
