Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his nomination for attorney general. The decision follows mounting scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, as well as a years-long investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing, called the allegations a “smear” and attributed the Ethics investigation to political enemies, including former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whose ouster he spearheaded last year.
“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 wrote on social media. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.”
Internal Opposition Mounts
Gaetz’s withdrawal follows President-elect Donald Trump’s efforts to rally Senate Republicans in support of his controversial pick. A source close to the Trump transition team revealed that Trump had personally called GOP senators as late as Thursday morning to assess Gaetz’s chances.
Despite these efforts, Gaetz privately concluded he lacked the votes needed for confirmation, according to two sources familiar with the matter. One Republican senator said at least eight colleagues were firmly opposed to his nomination, a number unlikely to shift.
“I think the decision to withdraw the nomination is the right one,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), adding that the process was “problematic from the beginning.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) echoed these sentiments: “There were a lot of red flags.”
Allegations and Ethics Report
Gaetz’s withdrawal coincides with new revelations from an Ethics Committee investigation. Joel Leppard, an attorney representing two women who testified before the committee, said his clients alleged that Gaetz paid them for sex, including a now-17-year-old girl during a 2017 party in Orlando. One witness claimed to have seen Gaetz engage in a sexual encounter with the minor, though another participant has denied the claim under oath.
The Ethics Committee’s investigation, which spanned years, also focused on alleged drug use and improper gifts. Despite his resignation from Congress last week, the panel is debating whether to release its findings.
House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) indicated Thursday that Gaetz’s withdrawal might bring the committee’s work to a close. “He is no longer a member of Congress, and so I think that this settles any involvement that the Ethics Committee should have,” Guest said.
Trump’s Response
President-elect Trump expressed gratitude for Gaetz’s efforts, saying in a social media post, “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration.” Hours later, Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to the position.
Gaetz’s withdrawal marks a significant setback for Trump as he assembles his second-term Cabinet. His defense secretary nominee, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, is also facing allegations of misconduct, adding to the mounting challenges for Trump’s incoming administration.
Gaetz’s resignation and withdrawal have put an end to immediate confirmation hearings, but they leave lingering questions about how Trump’s administration will handle future nominations amid controversy.
