Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination as Donald Trump’s attorney general over a report alleging he had a threesome with a minor and an adult.
Gaetz announced his shocking decision on social media.
“I had excellent meetings with senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support from so many. While momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation unfairly became a distraction from Trump/Vance’s critical work,” he wrote on X.
“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 needs to be in place and ready on Day 1,” he noted.
Gaetz was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to meet with senators about his nomination. Many had privately expressed concerns about whether he could be confirmed due to the ethics investigation into allegations of drug use, sex parties and sex with a minor.
He has already resigned from the House of Representatives before this term, but was re-elected to Congress, which will be sworn in on January 3. He will return as a lawmaker.
Matt Gaetz withdrew as Donald Trump’s attorney general candidate
CNN said they informed Gaetz that they had testimony a woman had given to the House Ethics Committee had two sexual encounters with Gaetz at one party in 2017.
The woman, who was 17 years old at the time, testified that the second sexual encounter, which has not previously been reported, involved another adult woman.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied the sexual encounters.
CNN said they told Gaetz the story would go live at 12:30 PM ET.
He posted on social media at 12:24 p.m. that he was withdrawing his nomination.
Gaetz’s wife Ginger Luckey responded to his announcement with “No one loves America more than you” and an emoji of hands making a heart shape.