Article Summary –
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for US Attorney General, citing it as a distraction. Gaetz faced controversies, including a past DOJ investigation and a pending House Ethics probe. With key Senate GOP members expressing discomfort, his confirmation seemed unlikely.
Matt Gaetz Withdraws from Attorney General Consideration Amid Controversy
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration as Donald Trump’s pick for US attorney general. Gaetz stated that his nomination was becoming a distraction to the Trump transition team.
Gaetz, nominated just last week, was controversial due to previous investigations involving the DOJ, including accusations of involvement in a 17-year-old’s sex trafficking scheme. While the DOJ declined charges, Gaetz also faced a House Ethics Committee probe over sexual misconduct and drug use.
The probe results were deemed moot after Gaetz’s recent resignation from Congress. House GOP members suggested this resignation stemmed from the impending report release. Furthermore, a woman claimed underage sexual encounters with Gaetz in 2017, as reported by CNN.
Gaetz’s Senate confirmation looked uncertain, with several GOP senators expressing concerns over his nomination. He could afford only three defections, but more were likely. Sen. Cynthia Lummis voiced her approval of his decision to withdraw, acknowledging the potential distraction his confirmation posed.
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