Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz on Thursday withdrew his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general amid sexual assault allegations.
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday,” Gaetz wrote in a post on X. “I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. 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 informed Trump late Thursday morning that he’d be withdrawing, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump, who had been personally calling lawmakers, to try and gather support for Gaetz, issued a statement.
“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!”
Following the announcement, several Republican lawmakers expressed relief.
“I know enough people that were a “hell no” in the conference to know that the path would have been very, very difficult, if possible, and I doubt it was,” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.).
“I think that was an excellent move on behalf of the incoming president,” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
Later in the day, Trump announced that Pam Bondi, a former attorney general of Florida, was his next pick as Attorney General. Bondi is a longtime ally of Trump and was part of his legal team during his first impeachment trial.
“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans — Not anymore,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social. “Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again.”
During the 2016 Republican National Convention, she joined in the “lock her up chants” directed at ormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Bondi also took a $25,000 donation from Trump while allegations against Trump University in a class action lawsuit were under review. In the end, no action was taken against Trump nor Trump University.
Story updated with Pam Bondi being named Attorney General.
