Matt Gaetz on Thursday withdrew from President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general to confirm the former congressman as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer after continued scrutiny of a federal sex-trafficking investigation. Doubts were raised about his competence.
The Florida Republican’s announcement came a day after he met with senators to try to win support for his confirmation to head the Justice Department.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly distracting from the important work of the Trump/Vance transition,” Gaetz said in a statement announcing his decision. “There is no time to waste on unnecessary bickering in Washington, so I will consider withdrawing my nomination to serve as attorney general. Trump’s DOJ in place and ready for day one.” Should be.
Gaetz’s resignation is a blow to Trump’s push to install staunch loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump may face resistance from members of his own party.
The former Florida representative resigned from Congress earlier this month, effectively ending an ethics investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, sexual misconduct and drug abuse when Trump tapped him as attorney general. Tap to do. The choice sparked concern among Democrats and Republicans, the latter of whom did not appear united behind Trump loyalists.
