Matt Gaetz, a prominent Republican and staunch ally of President-elect Donald Trump, has withdrawn from consideration as Attorney General following significant opposition from Senate Republicans.
The announcement, made on 21 November, comes amid unresolved allegations of sexual misconduct and ethics concerns that dogged the former congressman.
Gaetz, who resigned from the US House of Representatives last week, has been a polarising figure in Congress.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating claims that he had sex with an underage girl and engaged in other misconduct. While Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, the lingering allegations raised concerns among Senate Republicans about his suitability for the nation’s top law enforcement role.
In a post on X, Gaetz stated, “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.”
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…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
Senate opposition and ethical concerns
Trump’s nomination of Gaetz was widely viewed as an early test of his political influence over Congress. Senate Republicans, expected to hold a 53-47 majority, balked at the prospect of confirming Gaetz without reviewing the findings of the Ethics Committee’s investigation.
Republican Senator Mike Rounds commented, “There was perhaps some information out there that the president was not aware of when he made the original recommendation.” Other senators, including Cynthia Lummis, expressed optimism that the withdrawal would allow Trump to nominate a less controversial candidate.
A history of controversy
Gaetz has faced a series of scandals throughout his political career. A three-year FBI investigation into potential sex trafficking violations concluded without charges last year.
However, testimonies presented to the Ethics Committee alleged that Gaetz paid women for sex and engaged in inappropriate conduct with a 17-year-old girl.
The controversy surrounding his nomination was compounded by his role in orchestrating the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, an act that left many Republicans wary of his tactics.
Despite these issues, Gaetz maintained a reputation as a firebrand and loyal Trump supporter. His nomination signalled Trump’s intention to reshape the Justice Department to align with his agenda, including pursuing retribution against political adversaries.
Trump’s search for a new Attorney General
Gaetz’s withdrawal leaves Trump’s Justice Department transition team scrambling for alternatives. Possible contenders include Republican Senator Mike Lee, legal strategist Mark Paoletta, and Chris Landau, the former US ambassador to Mexico.
Meanwhile, Trump has already named Todd Blanche, a seasoned criminal defence lawyer, as his nominee for Deputy Attorney General. Jay Clayton, former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, has been tapped to lead the US Attorney’s office in Manhattan.
As Trump prepares to take office on 20 January, his administration faces increasing scrutiny over its Cabinet picks. Another controversial nominee, Pete Hegseth, has faced allegations of sexual misconduct after being tapped as Defence Secretary.
Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal marks the first major setback for Trump’s incoming Cabinet. With Senate Republicans demanding a nominee who faces fewer ethical challenges, Trump is under pressure to select a candidate who can be swiftly confirmed and trusted to carry out his agenda.
As Senate Republicans maintain their advisory role, Trump’s next pick for Attorney General will likely be a litmus test for his ability to balance loyalty with political pragmatism.
