Why Matt Gaetz withdrew bid for Attorney General

Former Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for Attorney General just eight days after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate him. The withdrawal came amid mounting controversy over sexual misconduct allegations and growing concerns about his confirmability in the Senate.

Mr. Trump had nominated Mr. Gaetz with the intention of reshaping the Justice Department, specifically seeking to remove what he perceived as partisan prosecutors. Mr. Gaetz, who had been one of the president-elect’s strongest advocates in Congress, resigned from his House seat on November 13, the same day Mr. Trump nominated him, despite being the subject of a Justice Department sex trafficking probe that had concluded without charges.

Mounting controversies

Several factors likely contributed to Mr. Gaetz’s withdrawal:

1. Ethics committee investigation: Mr. Gaetz was the subject of a comprehensive House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of illicit drug use, sexual misconduct, and improperly accepting gifts. The committee interviewed more than a dozen witnesses and issued 25 subpoenas.

2. New allegations: Two women testified to the House Ethics Committee that Mr. Gaetz had paid them for sex multiple times, with one witness claiming she saw him having sex with a 17-year-old. These allegations were supported by reported Venmo payments exceeding $10,000.

3. Additional claims: Just as Mr. Gaetz withdrew his nomination, CNN reported a second alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl.

4. Senate reception: Republican senators had withheld their support pending more information about the sexual misconduct accusations. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s terse response that the withdrawal was “appropriate” suggested limited support among key Republican leaders.

Withdrawal and aftermath

Mr. Gaetz announced his withdrawal on X (formerly Twitter), claiming his nomination was “unfairly becoming a distraction” from President-elect Trump’s agenda. While Mr. Trump stood by his nominee until the end, even stating “No” when asked if he was considering a replacement, the mounting pressure proved too much.

The withdrawal has several implications:

1. Ethics report: Questions remain about whether the House Ethics Committee will release its investigation report, with some lawmakers pushing for public disclosure while others argue the committee no longer has jurisdiction.

2. Congressional future: Although Mr. Gaetz won reelection to the upcoming Congress, he stated in his resignation letter that he does “not intend to take the oath of office” in January, though the legal situation remains complex.

3. Attorney General search: President-elect Trump must now seek a new nominee. Several names are being considered, including Sen. Mike Lee, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Sen. Eric Schmitt, and former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, though each potential candidate comes with other potential complications.

The episode adds another chapter to President-elect Trump’s turbulent relationship with the Attorney General position, following his turbulent experiences with Jeff Sessions and William Barr during his first term in office.

Read More: Gaetz ends AG bid amid renewed sex misconduct claims