Trump pick Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be US attorney general
Matt Gaetz had faced significant scrutiny over a previous federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl that cast doubt over his ability to be confirmed as the country's top legal official.
Friday 22 November 2024 07:29, UK
Donald Trump ally Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be the next US attorney general.
Mr Gaetz, a controversial pick to be the country's top legal official, said his selection was "unfairly becoming a distraction" to the transition of Mr Trump's administration into the White House.
The Florida Republican had faced scrutiny over previous sex trafficking allegations which were investigated by the department he had been picked by the president-elect to lead.
He said in a post on the X social media platform: "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as attorney general. Trump's DOJ (Department of Justice) must be in place and ready on Day 1.
"I remain fully committed to seeing that Donald Trump is the most successful president in history. I will forever be honoured that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America."
Analysis: Gaetz replacement is just as loyal
Within hours, Mr Trump confirmed his replacement is longtime ally Pam Bondi, who was one of his lawyers at his first impeachment trial.
In a post on his own social media site, Truth Social, Mr Trump said the Department of Justice has been "weaponised" against him and Ms Bondi will "refocus" it to "make America safe again".
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Mr Trump said in another post Mr Gaetz had a "wonderful future".
"I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General," he wrote.
"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."
Mr Gaetz previously faced a nearly three-year Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl, which ended in February 2023 without him facing any criminal charges.
He has always denied the allegations.
He has also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.
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Gaetz is a uniquely unpopular Trump ultra-loyalist
Donald Trump has pledged for years to surround himself in this second White House term with ultra-loyalists who can mould his government to his vision. That is precisely why he picked Matt Gaetz.
Uniquely unpopular on Capitol Hill but ultra-MAGA and ultra-loyal to the president-elect, Gaetz was chosen by the president-elect to do his bidding inside the Justice Department as attorney general.
Critics called the pick "a red alert moment for democracy" and the man a "gonzo agent of chaos" - language that would surely only affirm Mr Trump鈥檚 decision in his own proudly disruptive mind.
If it wasn't for the fact that the president-elect is himself a convicted felon, and a man found liable in a civil court for his own sexual offences, the prospect of Gaetz making it through the nomination process would have seemed remote.
But Mr Trump鈥檚 return to the White House, baggage and all, suggested to critics of Gaetz that anything is possible.
The Justice Department, which Mr Trump wanted Gaetz to lead, investigated him for allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and violated sex trafficking laws. No charges were ever brought.
But a separate House Ethics Committee report was due, this week, to release a report alleging that he had 鈥渆ngaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favours to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct鈥�.
It鈥檚 claimed that Trump's decision to pick Gaetz was hatched during a flight to Washington on his private jet last week. It's claimed that even his incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles was unaware of the decision.
Other Trump loyalists had suggested the incoming president might try to force the appointment through as a 'recess appointment', a mechanism of bypassing the required Senate approval.
We do not know the motivation behind Gaetz's decision (if it was indeed his) to drop out. But it won鈥檛 be the first of Mr Trump's controversial picks for his inner circle that will face scrutiny.
His pick for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, is combatting his own alleged sexual impropriety and his pick for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has been accused of being a Putin and Assad apologist. They will both face tough approval hearings before their nominations can be confirmed.
Other key appointments remain unannounced including director of the FBI and treasury secretary.
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The inquiry was dropped on Wednesday 13 November when Mr Gaetz left Congress - the only forum where the committee has jurisdiction.
The Senate ethics committee is deadlocked on whether their report can be released.
In the immediate wake of Mr Trump's selection of Mr Gaetz to lead the DOJ, a number of senators were sceptical that he would get enough votes to be confirmed by a majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Mr Gaetz's withdrawal is a blow to Mr Trump's push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that he could face resistance from members of his own party.