Conservative U.S. politician and staunch Trump ally Matt Gaetz has announced his withdrawal from consideration for the position of Attorney General, citing his potential to become a "distraction" for the incoming administration. This decision follows renewed attention to allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims that Gaetz engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl.
The announcement came on Thursday night, November 21, just over a week after former President Donald Trump named Gaetz as his choice for the role of top federal prosecutor. In a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Gaetz said his withdrawal was motivated by a desire to avoid delaying the formation of Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ).
“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle,” Gaetz wrote. “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.”
Despite stepping aside, Gaetz reiterated his unwavering support for Trump, stating, “I remain fully committed to seeing that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.”
The renewed focus on Gaetz stems from multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Accusations include claims that he had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl in 2017—a crime in the United States, where the age of consent is 18. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Department of Justice previously conducted a sex trafficking investigation into Gaetz, which ended last year without charges. However, the U.S. House Ethics Committee also scrutinized him for alleged sexual misconduct. An attorney representing two women told committee investigators that Gaetz had paid them for sex on several occasions starting in 2017. One of the women claimed to have seen Gaetz engage in sexual activity with a 17-year-old, though she suggested he may not have been aware of her age.
Former President Trump expressed his appreciation for Gaetz’s service while supporting his decision to withdraw. “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 on his Truth Social platform.
“Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Trump added.
Gaetz, who resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives last week following Trump’s nomination, faces questions about his political future. Despite being re-elected to his congressional seat earlier this month, it is unclear whether he will return to serve the remaining two years of his term.
The decision to withdraw highlights the challenges of Gaetz’s controversial career, marked by his loyalty to Trump but clouded by ongoing allegations that have fueled significant public and political scrutiny.
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