By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-21 20:37:24 | Updated at 2024-11-22 05:38:14
9 hours ago
Matt Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress after he was tapped to be Donald Trump's attorney general, but now that he withdrew his name from Cabinet consideration it raises questions about his future.
The embattled MAGA loyalist promptly resigned from Congress after President-elect Donald Trump named him as his pick for top law enforcement officer last week.
But his nomination immediately received pushback from Democrats and even some Republicans due to a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor and illicit drug use.
His House exit ended the committee's jurisdiction over Gaetz leaving the findings of its probe in limbo.
But now that the 42-year-old is no longer up for attorney general, it is not clear whether he could end up back on Capitol Hill.
In his resignation letter from the current 118th Congress, Gaetz said he did not intend to take the oath of office for the 119th Congress - which begins in January.
In November, Gaetz was reelected to another term starting next year with more than 66 percent of the vote.
If he is no longer seeking to join the incoming Trump administration, Gaetz technically could take the oath of office come January and join the new Congress.
While that is a possibility, it could also lead to the House Ethics Committee relaunching its investigation and revealing the potentially damning findings.
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for Attorney General as his confirmation faced an uphill climb in the Senate. It is not clear what's next for the MAGA firebrand after he promptly resigned from Congress last week, but there are several possibilities that could bring him back to Washington
The future of that report as of now is uncertain after the committee was deadlocked in a vote on whether to make it public.
Should Gaetz not return to the House, that vacant seat would need to be filled through a special election.
After Gaetz's nomination was announced last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had called for an immediate special election to fill the vacancy.
There are two other possibilities that could bring Gaetz back to Washington in the new year if he does not to return to the House.
One less likely scenario is Gaetz could be appointed to fill the Florida Senate seat being vacated by outgoing Senator Marco Rubio who will have to resign upon his likely confirmation as Trump's Secretary of State.
Some lawmakers have already signaled they are open to the possibility of Gaetz becoming a senator including GOP Florida Senator Rick Scott.
Gaetz with Vice President-elect Vance on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, November 20 as they arrived for meetings with senators. One day later, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration for Attorney General
But that decision resides with DeSantis, who is tasked with appointing Rubio's replacement for two years before a special election is held in 2026.
There have been several prominent names already floated as potential Rubio replacements including Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump.
DailyMail.com reached out to DeSantis' office for comment.
The other possibility is that Gaetz could end up joining the Trump administration in a role that does not require Senate confirmation.
Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz in the Manhattan criminal court with Trump while he was on trial for covering up the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels
Past presidents including Biden have brought allies into the White House for such roles after their names were withdrawn from consideration for other roles after it was determined they would not get the necessary votes in the Senate.
Gaetz could end up serving as a senior adviser or in the some legal counsel capacity as he is a lawyer.
In announcing his withdrawal, Gaetz did not signal which direction his future would take, only that he remains 'fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.'
Trump also gave no indication in his response to the nomination withdrawal that Gaetz will be joining is administration but said his loyal supporter has a 'wonderful future.'
'I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!' the president-elect posted on Truth Social.
Gaetz' wife Ginger gave her own cryptic response on Thursday, writing 'The end of an era' with an image of her and the former lawmaker on the steps of the capitol, perhaps signaling a return to Congress is not in his future.
