By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-21 18:02:00 | Updated at 2024-11-24 18:14:29
3 days ago
Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as Donald Trump 's nominee for attorney general in a stunning reversal for the president-elect.
It followed a new allegation that the embattled Republican had a threesome that involved a minor.
The announcement came a day after the House Ethics Committee deadlocked on releasing a report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use by Gaetz.
On Wednesday, Gaetz had met with Republican senators whose support he would have needed to be confirmed as attorney general.
'I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance,' he wrote on X.
'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. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,' he noted.
Many senators had privately expressed concerns about whether he could be confirmed due to the ethics investigation about allegations of drug uses, sex parties and sex with a minor.
Gaetz has already resigned from the House of Representatives for this term but was re-elected to the Congress that is sworn into office on January 3rd. He will return as a lawmaker.
Matt Gaetz withdrew as Donald Trump's attorney general nominee
CNN said they had informed Gaetz at 11:30 a.m. they had testimony a woman gave the House Ethics Committee that she had two sexual encounters with Gaetz at one party in 2017.
The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, testified that the second sexual encounter, which has not previously been reported, included another adult woman.
CNN said they had told Gaetz the story was going live at 12:30 pm ET.
He posted on social media at 12:24 pm he was withdrawing his nomination.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied the sexual encounters.
The adult woman has denied participating in the alleged second encounter in her testimony to the Ethics committee, CNN reported.
Gaetz only made it nine days as Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department.
Trump said he appreciated Gaetz and expected great things from him.
'I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. 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!,' the president-elect wrote on Truth Social.
Trump had been calling senators to rally support for his nominee. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, a senator, had been taking Gaetz around the Senate the past two days to work on his confirmation.
Gaetz's wife Ginger Luckey responded to his announcement with 'Nobody loves America more than you' and an emoji of hands making a heart shape.
Donald Trump said he respected Matt Gaetz's decision to withdraw his nomination
The Justice Department had closed its investigation of Gaetz last year after prosecutors recommended that no criminal charges be brought against him.
However, the House Ethics Committee was wrapping up its investigation and preparing to release its report.
Gaetz's resignation from the 118th Congress meant he was no longer subject to the ethics panel. The panel voted Wednesday not to release the report on Gaetz.
