Gaetz Withdraws Attorney General Nomination Amidst Renewed Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his nomination for Attorney General, citing concerns that his past controversies would be a distraction, Al Jazeera reports.
The announcement came just over a week after President-elect Trump nominated him to the position. Trump swiftly named Pam Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General and staunch Trump ally, as his replacement.
Gaetz’s nomination faced significant headwinds due to long-standing allegations of sexual misconduct. These include a Department of Justice (DOJ) sex trafficking investigation that concluded without charges last year, and an ongoing US House Ethics Committee investigation. A lawyer for two women involved in the latter investigation alleges Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions, starting in 2017. One woman further testified to witnessing Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a Florida party in 2017, though she stated she believed Gaetz was unaware of the girl’s age. Gaetz has denied all allegations of sexual impropriety.
The prospect of a Senate confirmation battle, coupled with Gaetz’s history of clashes with Republican leadership, likely contributed to his decision to withdraw. Senate confirmation would have required a vote, and opposition was anticipated given the seriousness of the accusations. Gaetz, in a social media statement, acknowledged that he had become a “distraction.”
President-elect Trump, in a social media post, expressed his “great” appreciation for Gaetz’s work. Gaetz resigned from his US House of Representatives seat last week following his nomination. His future plans, including whether he will return to Congress or pursue other opportunities, remain unclear. He was re-elected on November 5th for a further two-year term.
Bondi, who heads the legal arm of the America First Policy Institute and served on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment, is considered a safe and loyal choice.
