Advertisement
Matt Gaetz made a surprise announcement withdrawing his nomination to be attorney general in Donald Trump’s administration. This decision came amid accusations related to his past behavior, including claims of inappropriate relationships. “It is clear that my confirmation wrongly became a distraction,” Gaetz said on social media.
Gaetz took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his decision with supporters. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted scuffle in Washington,” he wrote. His message emphasized the urgency for Trump’s DOJ to begin its work without delay.
Before his announcement, Gaetz met with senators on Capitol Hill to discuss his nomination. However, some senators raised concerns about his confirmability due to an ongoing ethics investigation. Despite these challenges, Gaetz described the meetings as “thoughtful” and thanked senators for their support.
CNN revealed that they informed Gaetz of new testimony about alleged sexual misconduct shortly before his withdrawal. According to reports, a 17-year-old testified about two encounters with Gaetz in 2017 involving another adult woman. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations.
The timing of Gaetz’s announcement raised eyebrows. CNN notified him of their intention to publish the story at 11:30 a.m., and he withdrew his nomination at 12:24 p.m. The allegations reportedly include testimony from the second encounter, which had not previously been disclosed.
Gaetz’s wife, Ginger Luckey, publicly supported his decision. “Nobody loves America more than you,” she commented, adding an emoji of hands forming a heart. Her response underscored the personal toll the controversy has taken on the Gaetz family.
The Justice Department concluded its investigation into Gaetz last year and recommended no criminal charges be filed. However, the House Ethics Committee continued its investigation into allegations of drug use and sexual misconduct, complicating his political career.
Gaetz’s resignation from the current Congress removed him from the Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction. Despite completing their investigation, the panel decided not to release their report. This decision effectively leaves the allegations in limbo. Despite the controversy, Gaetz remains an important political figure. After being re-elected, he will return to Congress in January. His continued presence in politics indicates that he intends to weather the storm of accusations.
Matt Gaetz’s tenure in public office has been marked by staunch support from conservative circles and continued controversy. His withdrawal from nomination for attorney general reflects the challenges of balancing a political career with unresolved allegations.
Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Visit our profile page and click the follow button above for more news you need.