Gaetz Bows Out of Consideration For Attorney General

Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney general.

Gaetz made the decision after meeting with Senators on Wednesday.

“I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many,” he wrote in a statement posted on X.

“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz continued.

“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,” he said, adding, “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”

Gaetz’s decision to back out comes amid damaging leaks from a House Ethics Committee investigation of the Florida lawmaker. The Biden Department of Justice concluded its own investigation with no recommended charges.

“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,” Gaetz said in his statement. “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”

President-Elect Trump reacted to the news in a statement posted on Truth Social.

“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” Trump said. “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!”