Can Matt Gaetz return to Congress or can Ron DeSantis make him a senator? What’s next for the MAGA fire brand
Matt Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress after being appointed Donald Trump’s attorney general, but now that he has withdrawn his name from the Cabinet, it raises questions about his future.
The embattled MAGA loyalist promptly resigned from Congress after newly elected President Donald Trump named him as his pick for top law enforcement official last week.
But his nomination immediately drew opposition from Democrats and even some Republicans because of a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct involving a minor and illegal drug use.
His departure from the House of Representatives ended the committee’s jurisdiction over Gaetz, leaving the investigation’s findings in limbo.
But now that the 42-year-old is no longer a candidate for attorney general, it is unclear whether he will be able to return to Capitol Hill.
In his letter of resignation from the current 118th Congress, Gaetz said he did not plan to take the oath of office for the 119th Congress — which begins in January.
In November, Gaetz was re-elected with more than 66 percent of the votes for a new term that starts next year.
If he no longer wants to join the new Trump administration, Gaetz could technically take the oath of office and join the new Congress in January.
While that is a possibility, it could also lead to the House Ethics Committee restarting its investigation and making the potentially damning findings public.
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from nomination for attorney general because his nomination faced an uphill climb in the Senate. It’s unclear what’s next for the MAGA rabble-rouser after he promptly resigned from Congress last week, but there are several possibilities that could bring him back to Washington.
The future of that report is currently uncertain after the committee was deadlocked in a vote on whether to make it public.
If Gaetz does not return to the House of Representatives, that vacant seat would have to be filled through a special election.
After Gaetz’s appointment was announced last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had called for an immediate special election to fill the vacancy.
There are two other possibilities that could bring Gaetz back to Washington in the new year if he doesn’t return to the House of Representatives.
A less likely scenario is that Gaetz could be appointed to fill the Florida Senate seat vacated by retiring Sen. Marco Rubio, who will have to resign following his likely nomination as Trump’s secretary of state.
Some lawmakers have already indicated they are open to the possibility of Gaetz becoming a senator, including Rick Scott of the Florida GOP.
Gaetz with Vice President-elect Vance on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, November 20 as they arrived for meetings with senators. A day later, Gaetz resigned from the post of attorney general
But that decision rests with DeSantis, who is tasked with appointing Rubio’s replacement for a two-year term before a special election is held in 2026.
Several prominent names have already been floated as potential Rubio replacements, including Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump.
The National Review reported Thursday that the governor would not appoint Gaetz to the Senate.
DailyMail.com has contacted DeSantis’ office for comment.
The other possibility is that Gaetz eventually joins the Trump administration in a role that does not require Senate confirmation.
Then-Rep. Matt Gaetz in Manhattan Criminal Court with Trump while on trial for covering up hush money payments to Stormy Daniels
Past presidents, including Biden, have brought allies to the White House for such roles after their names were withheld from other roles after it was determined they would not get the necessary votes in the Senate.
Gaetz could eventually serve as a senior advisor or in a legal advisor capacity, since he is an attorney.
In announcing his withdrawal, Gaetz did not indicate what direction his future would take, only that he remains “fully committed to ensuring that Donald J. Trump becomes the most successful president in history.”
Trump also gave no indication in his response to the withdrawal of the nomination that Gaetz will join the administration, but said his loyal supporter has a “great future.”
“I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do!” the president-elect posted on Truth Social.
Gaetz’s wife Ginger gave her own cryptic response Thursday, writing “The End of an Era” with an image of her and the former lawmaker on the steps of the Capitol, perhaps indicating that a return to Congress is not in his future.