Former Rep. Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice as the United States Attorney General.
Gaetz shared his decision in a post on social media on Thursday after sharing that he had spoken with Senators about the path to confirmation. CNN reported that his decision to drop out came after the Senate Ethics Committee heard details about his alleged sexual encounter with a teen.
Gaetz did not address that allegation.
“I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many,” Gaetz wrote on X. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.”
“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,” Gaetz said. “Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”
The decision from Gaetz comes after weeks of criticism over the pick from Trump due to a recently closed House Ethics Committee probe into allegations that Gaetz had paid minors for sex.
Gaetz has continued to deny the claims, saying they are manufactured and false.
The Department of Justice also investigated the claims but decided not to pursue charges against Gaetz.
Despite the House and DOJ probes ending, pressure had begun to mount on the House Ethics Committee to release its final report.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) had recommended that the committee forgo releasing it, but members of Congress on both sides had called for it to be made public.
After being nominated, Gaetz tendered his resignation from the House, though it remains unclear what will happen moving forward. He shared on social media that he will remain supportive of the incoming administration.
“I remain fully committed to [seeing] that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,” Gaetz said. “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America.”