Matt Gaetz’s time as Donald Trump’s attorney general candidate lasted just eight days.
But there was no shortage of drama at that time.
There were “more twists than an M. Night Shyamalan movie,” said Republican strategist Scott Jennings.
Meanwhile, Democrats mocked Gaetz for achieving less than “one Scaramucci.”
That was a reference to the eleven days that Anthony Scaramucci was Trump’s communications director in the White House during his first term.
Here’s how Gaetz’s eight days as attorney general candidate unfolded.
November 13
Trump announces Matt Gaetz as his choice to lead the Justice Department. Hours later.
Gaetz is resigning from Congress, effectively ending a House ethics investigation into his private life.
November 14
Republicans are reacting hesitantly to the prospect of Gaetz as attorney general.
Trump also appoints three lawyers who defended him in criminal cases to senior positions at the Justice Department. They are Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer.
Matt Gaetz speaks during a 2024 campaign rally for former US President Donald Trump in Waco, Texas
President Donald Trump takes a selfie with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in the House chamber after Trump’s State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 30, 2018
November 15
House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will “strongly urge” the House Ethics Committee not to release the results of its investigation into Gaetz.
Johnson rebuffs senators who demanded access to the report.
The bipartisan commission had spent years investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against Gaetz, which he vehemently denied.
November 16
DOJ attorneys describe a widespread sense of outrage over the nomination.
November 17
Donald Trump Jr. is making a loud call to get Gaetz confirmed, against the wishes of the Washington establishment.
Matt Gaetz and his wife Ginger Luckey Gaetz
Matt Gaetz during a House Judiciary Committee hearing
November 18
Florida attorney Joel Leppard says he is representing two women who claim Gaetz used Venmo to pay them for sex.
He says one of them claims he saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has denied the allegations against him.
November 19
Republican senators are divided over how much to push back on Trump versus Gaetz.
It appears that an unauthorized individual has gained access to a file containing confidential testimony from women who have made allegations about Gaetz.
November 20
Republicans on the House Ethics Committee are voting against releasing the panel’s long-running investigation into Gaetz.
But the panel will meet again on December 5 to reconsider whether to release its findings.
Gaetz and JD Vance meet with Republican senators in Washington in an attempt to gain support for his nomination, but are met with resistance from some.
Ginger Luckey Gaetz reacts after Matt Gaetz ends his bid to become attorney general
Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wednesday, July 17, 2024
November 21
CNN reports that the allegations against Gaetz, which he has denied, include that he had a threesome with a 17-year-old girl and an adult woman.
Gaetz continues to insist he has done nothing wrong, but is ending his bid to become attorney general because he is becoming an “unfair distraction” for Trump.
He informs Trump in advance about his announcement.
In a statement, Gaetz said: “I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support from so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation began to unfairly distract from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition.
“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted scuffle in Washington, so I will withdraw my name from serving as attorney general. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.
“I remain fully committed to making Donald J. Trump the most successful president in history. “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice, and I am confident he will save America.”