By Peter Baker, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan
Matt Gaetz, who encountered intense examination due to accusations of sex trafficking and drug abuse, unexpectedly withdrew his intention to become attorney general on Thursday, marking the first significant political hurdle for President-elect Donald Trump since his election earlier this month.
Gaetz has consistently refuted the accusations; however, his anticipated nomination faced challenges in the Senate, where Republicans were notably hesitant to endorse someone for the Justice Department who had previously been investigated over allegations of sex trafficking an underage girl, despite no charges being filed.
In declaring his withdrawal a day after meeting with the Senate, Gaetz maintained that he had robust backing among fellow Republicans. Nevertheless, two individuals knowledgeable about Gaetz’s thoughts mentioned he chose to withdraw after realizing he lacked the votes needed for confirmation in the Senate. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity to share details of his private decision-making.
“Despite the momentum being strong, it has become apparent that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the vital work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz posted on social media. “There’s no time to waste on a drawn-out conflict in Washington, so I’ll be stepping back from consideration for the role of Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be operational from Day 1.”
He further stated, “I remain wholeheartedly dedicated to ensuring that Donald J. Trump becomes the most accomplished President in history. I will always be honored that President Trump selected me to lead the Department of Justice, and I’m confident he will Save America.”
Trump reacted with his own social media message expressing gratitude towards Gaetz. “Matt has a great future ahead, and I eagerly anticipate all the remarkable things he will accomplish,” the president-elect wrote. Trump did not reveal his potential choice for attorney general in place of Gaetz.
The failure of Gaetz’s nomination highlighted the chaotic manner in which Trump has been assembling his new administration. He nominated Gaetz almost impulsively last week without thorough vetting, aware of the allegations yet essentially challenging Senate Republicans to support him regardless.
Gaetz conveyed to associates that after discussions with senators and their teams, he had determined that at least four Republican senators were firmly opposed to his nomination: Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, Susan Collins from Maine, Mitch McConnell from Kentucky, and John Curtis from Utah, who will take office in January.
Murkowski declined to comment on his withdrawal from consideration. Collins expressed that it was “the best choice that Mr. Gaetz could have made.”
What remained uncertain on Thursday was whether Gaetz’s withdrawal would empower Senate Republicans to challenge other contentious Cabinet nominees, such as Pete Hegseth, the Fox News anchor selected for defense secretary, or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the conspiracy theorist and vaccine skeptic appointed for secretary of health and human services. Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault, which he dismisses, while Kennedy has faced allegations of groping a family babysitter, an incident he claims not to remember.
The controversy surrounding Gaetz had shifted focus away from some of the other disputed nominations. Gaetz, who represented Florida in the House prior to his nomination by Trump, had become one of the least popular Republicans on Capitol Hill, especially after sparking the far-right uprising that resulted in the ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
