By Noah Weiland / © 2024 The New York Times Company
Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s contentious choice for attorney general who had faced a torrent of scrutiny, said Thursday that he was withdrawing from consideration for the role.
“It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on X. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.”
Gaetz, who visited with Republican senators Wednesday to help make a case for his selection, said in the post that the meetings were “excellent” and that “momentum was strong.” But he added that “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” referring to the Justice Department.
He added, “I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
Gaetz was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct until he resigned from the House on Nov. 13, after Trump announced his intention to nominate him.
Trump, in a social media post, said he appreciated Gaetz’s attempts to win over senators and be confirmed as attorney general, adding that he thought Gaetz “was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the administration.”
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
