Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for Attorney General under Donald Trump on Thursday, following mounting scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct. This ended the short-lived candidacy of one of Trump’s more contentious picks for a cabinet role.
After discussions with senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Gaetz said on X that his nomination had become “a distraction to the critical work” of the incoming Trump administration. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly drawn-out Washington fight, so I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s Justice Department must be operational from Day 1,” Gaetz stated. He also expressed his commitment to ensuring Trump’s success, feeling honored by the nomination.
The announcement came just over a week after Trump nominated Gaetz to be Attorney General, the top law enforcement official in the U.S. Gaetz, a strong Trump supporter who has faced opposition from some Republicans, struggled to gain confirmation.
Intense scrutiny arose last week due to accusations that Gaetz had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. Although the Justice Department chose not to charge him last year following a sex-trafficking investigation, details about his encounters continued to surface. Shortly before Gaetz withdrew his nomination, CNN reported that the woman involved had disclosed a second encounter to the House ethics committee.
Reports from ABC News and The New York Times earlier this week linked Gaetz to Venmo transactions with women who alleged he paid them for sex.
On Wednesday, the House ethics committee was deadlocked on releasing a report concerning the allegations. Illinois Representative Sean Casten, a Democrat on the committee, vowed to pursue the full release of the Gaetz report.
Meanwhile, Trump praised Gaetz’s efforts on Truth Social, acknowledging his dedication and predicting a bright future for him. “Matt has a wonderful future,” Trump wrote, appreciating Gaetz’s recent push for approval despite the controversial circumstances.
Gaetz’s resignation from Congress coincided with his nomination announcement by Trump, leaving uncertainty over who will now be chosen to head the Justice Department, a position Trump has stated he plans to use to target his adversaries.
This withdrawal occurred as Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, faces sexual assault allegations. A recent police report details accusations from a woman regarding a 2017 incident involving Hegseth, which he has denied.
Public Citizen co-president Robert Weissman criticized Gaetz’s selection as Attorney General, calling it “ridiculous, horrible, and dangerous.” He noted that the unwillingness of Republican senators to support Gaetz’s nomination suggests some level of restraint remains in Washington, though he expressed concerns about Trump’s future nominations.
