Former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said Thursday he is withdrawing his candidacy to serve as U.S. attorney general for President-elect Donald Trump's second term.
As Axios reports, Gaetz, a right-wing politician who resigned from Congress after Trump nominated him, was one of the most controversial Cabinet nominees for the newly elected president, and his path to confirmation looked illusory.
Matt Gaetz Withdrew His Candidacy for US Attorney General in Trump's Team
It is noted that this is Trump's first failure to appoint his allies to key government positions. The nominee for attorney general is especially important for Trump — and he has made it clear that he plans to fundamentally change the Justice Department during his second term.
Now Watching
Gaetz, in a note on the social media platform X on Thursday, said that “while the momentum was strong, it is clear that my assertion unfairly distracts attention from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition.”.
—There is no time to waste on an unnecessary, protracted battle in Washington, so I am withdrawing my candidacy for attorney general, — Gaetz wrote.
Gaetz's statement came a day after the House Ethics Committee, which investigated him for sex trafficking, corruption, and drug use, voted against releasing its report on its findings.
Gaetz resigned as a congressman after Trump announced he would nominate him for attorney general, casting doubt on whether the House Ethics Committee's report would ever be made public.
Trump has personally lobbied for the lawmaker over the past week, personally calling senators and urging them to confirm Gaetz, Axios reports. But the situation was not favorable for Gaetz.
Earlier this week, Gaetz and newly elected Vice President J.D. Vance met with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill to try to shore up support for the controversial nominee.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social after the nomination was announced, said Gaetz was doing a great job, but at the same time didn't want to distract from an administration he has great respect for.
— Matt has a great future ahead of him, and I look forward to all the great things he will do! — Trump said.
Gaetz, who was also under investigation by the Justice Department on sex trafficking charges, denied wrongdoing.
