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President-elect Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Rep. Matt Gaetz on Wednesday after Gaetz withdrew from seeking Senate confirmation as Attorney General.

Gaetz, a vocal Trump ally, stepped back to avoid becoming a distraction during the administration’s transition.

Trump addressed Gaetz’s decision on Truth Social, thanking him for his efforts and expressing optimism about his future.

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“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” Trump 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.”

Trump added, “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”

Gaetz responded to Trump’s remarks with a message of gratitude on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Thank you President Trump!”

Original article:

Rep. Matt Gaetz announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General.

May 16, 2024; New York, NY, USA; US Representative Matt Gaetz (C R), Republican of Florida, listens as former US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before his criminal trial at Manhattan criminal court at the New York State Supreme Court on May 16, 2024. Mandatory Credit: Angela Weiss/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK

The decision comes amid concerns from Senate Republicans regarding an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Gaetz, a Republican congressman from Florida, shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, explaining his decision to step aside.

“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many,” Gaetz wrote. “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. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”

Gaetz’s withdrawal follows his resignation from Congress last week after Trump’s surprising announcement of his nomination.

Gaetz has been accused of having sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl in 2017, a claim he has repeatedly denied.

The Justice Department previously investigated the allegations but ultimately did not bring charges against him. Despite this, the House Ethics Committee has been conducting its own investigation into the matter.

According to sources, the Ethics Committee deadlocked on Wednesday over whether to release a report detailing its findings.

Some Senate Republicans had sought access to the report as part of their evaluation of Gaetz’s nomination.

CNN reported on Thursday that a woman testified before the Ethics Committee, claiming she had two sexual encounters with Gaetz during a party in 2017.

Gaetz has consistently denied these allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.

Gaetz’s nomination faced immediate skepticism from some Senate Republicans, who expressed reservations about moving forward without clarity on the Ethics Committee’s findings.

While Gaetz received support from certain conservative circles, concerns over the allegations became a focal point in discussions about his potential confirmation.

The prospect of a contentious confirmation battle, coupled with the ongoing ethics investigation, appears to have prompted Gaetz’s decision to step aside.

The decision to withdraw reflects the challenges Trump’s transition team encounters as it works to build a cabinet amid partisan tensions.

Gaetz’s decision to withdraw allows the Trump transition team, led by President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, to focus on nominating an Attorney General who can secure Senate confirmation quickly.

Trump has emphasized the importance of having a fully staffed Department of Justice ready to take action on Day 1 of his administration.

As the Trump team navigates these developments, attention will now turn to who will be nominated to fill the critical role of Attorney General.

The selection process is expected to move swiftly to avoid further delays.


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