(Bloomberg) -- Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration to be US attorney general in a major defeat for President-elect Donald Trump, who wanted him to overhaul the Justice Department.
Gaetz dropped out Thursday after it became clear that the former congressman didn’t have enough support among Senate Republicans to be confirmed, said a person familiar with the matter.
The collapse of Gaetz’s nomination is a stinging rebuke for Trump in one of his first key moves as he prepares to take office and an early sign that, in at least some instances, Senate Republicans may place limits on a president-elect with a fiercely loyal GOP following. Gaetz was seen as a top choice to carry out Trump’s agenda on immigration, policing and other hot-button social issues.
Gaetz, 42, a Florida Republican, came under intense scrutiny in response to a long-running House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct. The Justice Department also investigated Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking of a minor but informed his lawyers last year that the probe was closed without charges.
Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.
“It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz said in a post on X Thursday. “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.”
Since the his nomination was announced last week, it appeared that he faced an uphill battle for confirmation.
‘A Sound Decision’
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said it was a “good thing” Gaetz withdrew. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said he made “a sound decision” in avoiding a confirmation fight. Another Republican, Susan Collins of Maine, expressed relief that senators wouldn’t have to investigate the allegations against him.
“He’s got to do what’s best for him and his family, but I respect the decision,” said Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the Republicans’ incoming leader.
Trump said he appreciated Gaetz’s efforts for the nomination in a posting Thursday on Truth Social.
“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 wrote. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Trump has indicated that he’ll push for a radical transformation of the Justice Department, which has more than 115,000 employees. The department sits at the apex of the machinery that Trump will need to carry out his agenda from enforcing federal laws to litigating controversial matters. It also plays a key role in doling out billions of dollars in grant funding for immigration enforcement, border security and policing.
Other Trump nominees that have sparked concerns even among Republicans are Fox News Channel host Pete Hegseth to head the Pentagon, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run the Department of Health and Human Services, and former Representative Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence.
Gaetz was “the outlier in regards to the level of an uphill battle ahead for Senate confirmation,” said Republican strategist Josh Novotney.
“As much as he may have been one Trump liked to maybe get in there and fire a bunch of political prosecutors, I think there are other people that are going to be effective at that if that’s what he wants to do,” Novotney said.
In the resignation letters Gaetz sent to the House and Florida governor, he said he didn’t intend “to take the oath of office” when his new congressional term begins next year.
--With assistance from Skylar Woodhouse, Stephanie Lai, Billy House and Steven T. Dennis.
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