U.S. congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn himself from consideration to become the next Attorney General. Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week he intended to nominate Gaetz for the role.
Gaetz’s withdrawal follows allegations of sexual misconduct involving an underage girl, sex trafficking, and possessing illegal drugs.
He has always denied the allegations against him and has never been charged.
Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz was born in the U.S. state of Florida, where he was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 2008.
Eight years later, he was elected as a Republican in a conservative-leaning Florida district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gaetz has written an autobiography detailing his time in Congress, where he describes himself as a “firebrand” behind the “MAGA revolution” — a reference to Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again”.
Allegations
Gaetz was previously the subject of a federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and illicit drug use, relating to his attendance at multiple sex parties between 2017 and 2020.
At one of these events, it was alleged he engaged in unlawful sexual activity with a 17-year-old girl. The event took place in Florida, where the legal age of consent is 18.
Gaetz denied any wrongdoing.
In 2023, the Department of Justice chose to not criminally charge Gaetz.
House committee
In 2021, the House of Representatives Ethics Committee launched an investigation into Gaetz’ actions, including alleged sex trafficking, while he was an elected representative.
The committee does not carry the same power as a Justice Department investigation. It’s evenly made up of five Republicans and Democrats.
It has drafted a report on its investigation into Gaetz, which it’s confirmed it won’t release.
Gaetz’ nomination
Trump has been choosing new members of his White House team. Some of those choices – such as the prospective Attorney-General – must go through a Senate confirmation process.
This involves a public interview by a panel of Senators, then a vote of the whole Senate. A majority of the 100 Senators must approve the President’s choice.
If Gaetz had been approved, he would have overseen the Department of Justice, which previously investigated him.
In response to Trump’s selection of Gaetz, several Republican and Democrat Senators asked to see the House committee report into Gaetz’s alleged behaviour.
This raised questions about whether the Senate would allow Gaetz to take on the job of Attorney-General.
Gaetz has now confirmed he won’t go ahead with the nomination.
“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle,” he said in a social media post.
Trump response
In a post to his social media platform, Truth Social, Donald Trump thanked Gaetz for his “recent efforts” to become Attorney-General.
“He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump said.
He has since announced former Florida Attorney-General Pam Bondi as his pick to replace Gaetz. Bondi represented Trump at his first impeachment trial.
