In a shocking twist of events, it was confirmed on the 21st of November 2024 that Matt Gaetz would not be the Attorney General of Donal Trump.
This is due to a sexual misconduct allegation that surfaced blocking his chances of taking up the coveted role.
Just few moments before his withdrawal, Gaetz had received a call from CNN that they planned to report a witness told the House Ethics Committee she had sex with Gaetz twice when she was a minor.
Gaetz announced his decision on X Thursday, writing, “it is clear my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” as the deepening sexual misconduct allegations dominated the political news cycle in the days since Trump announced Gaetz as his pick.
Trump echoed Gaetz in a Truth Social statement that said his pick “did not want to be a distraction for the Administration,” writing “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” adding “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Gaetz bowed out of the process as lawmakers were debating whether to release a House Ethics Committee report on sexual misconduct allegations, among other claims, against the former congressman—including an allegation he had sex with a 17-year-old (which Gaetz has denied).
Matt Gaetz Biography
Matthew Louis Gaetz II, born on May 7, 1982, in Hollywood, Florida, is an American lawyer and politician known for his tenure as the U.S. representative for Florida’s 1st congressional district from 2017 to 2024. The son of prominent Florida politician Don Gaetz, Matt Gaetz followed in his father’s footsteps into politics, establishing himself as a key figure in conservative politics. He graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in 2003, and later earned a Juris Doctor from the College of William & Mary Law School in 2007. Gaetz’s political career began in the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 2010 to 2016. During his time in the Florida legislature, he was noted for his staunch support of conservative policies including his advocacy for Florida’s “stand-your-ground law” and his opposition to a bill that would criminalize revenge porn.
Gaetz’s time in Congress was marked by his ultraconservative positions and his vocal support for Donald Trump, often casting himself as a “firebrand” in politics. He became nationally recognized for his role in leading the charge to oust Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives in October 2023, reflecting his willingness to challenge party leadership. His career, however, was not without controversy, including allegations of sex trafficking and relationships with minors, which led to investigations by the Justice Department and a House Ethics Committee probe. Despite these controversies, in November 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced Gaetz as his nominee for United States Attorney General, a nomination that drew mixed reactions within the Republican Party. Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after this announcement, marking a significant transition in his political journey.
