Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz is stepping down from his nomination for Attorney General following ongoing investigations into allegations of sex trafficking, sexual misconduct with minors, and drug use, which he has denied. Gaetz, 42, announced his decision on Nov. 21, 2024, after facing increasing scrutiny over the impact of these investigations on his confirmation process.
In a statement posted on social media, Gaetz explained that the nomination had “unfairly become a distraction” to the transition efforts for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, wrote that he had “excellent meetings with Senators” and appreciated the “incredible support” he received but ultimately decided to withdraw after determining that the ongoing investigations would hinder his ability to take on the responsibilities of the role.
“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,” Gaetz wrote. He added that he would not be able to adequately prepare for the job, saying, “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.”
I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. 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…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
Gaetz, a staunch ally of Donald Trump, reaffirmed his commitment to the former president. “I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,” Gaetz wrote, expressing his honor at being nominated for the position. “I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice, and I’m certain he will Save America.”
Trump, who nominated Gaetz for the position on Nov. 13, responded on his Truth Social platform, stating that Gaetz was “doing very well” in his run to become Attorney General. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Trump wrote.
Gaetz’s withdrawal comes amid heightened controversy and legal challenges. On Nov. 14, the same day that Gaetz’s nomination was announced, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that Gaetz had resigned from Congress. The resignation took many by surprise, with Johnson explaining that Gaetz stepped down “out of deference to us,” stating that Gaetz had expressed concerns about having too many absences.
Gaetz had been under investigation by the Justice Department in connection to a sex trafficking probe, but the investigation ended without charges being filed. However, the House Ethics Committee continues to look into allegations related to Gaetz’s conduct, including claims made by two women who testified before the committee. They alleged that Gaetz paid for “sexual favors” and had sex with a minor, allegations which Gaetz has vehemently denied.
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Attorney Joel Leppard, representing the two women, told The Washington Post on Nov. 19 that his clients testified that Gaetz used a PayPal account associated with his “adopted son,” Nestor Galban, to pay for these encounters. Gaetz has described Galban, who is in his 20s, as his “son,” though they are not legally related. In a 2020 interview with People magazine, Gaetz explained that their relationship was “defined by our love for each other, not by any paperwork.”
The House Ethics Committee’s investigation has reportedly uncovered over $10,000 in payments from Gaetz to two women, who later became key witnesses in both the Justice Department’s and the House’s investigations into sexual misconduct. The payments, allegedly made between July 2017 and January 2019, were traced back to Venmo accounts connected to Gaetz, with 27 separate payments reportedly made to the women.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Gaetz has maintained his innocence. In prior statements on social media, he dismissed the claims as politically motivated, referring to the allegations as “years-old” and “not credible,” stating that they were sourced from individuals with political agendas.
In a related move, on Nov. 20, Republican members of the House Ethics Committee voted to block the release of the report detailing their investigation into Gaetz, as reported by The Associated Press and USA Today. This decision has further fueled the controversy surrounding the former congressman.
With his resignation from Congress and withdrawal from the Attorney General nomination, Gaetz’s future political prospects remain uncertain. However, his steadfast support for Trump and his influence among some Republican circles suggest he may continue to play a role in the party’s ongoing efforts.
