BREAKING: Matt Gaetz withdraws attorney general nomination

He said the move followed many "excellent meetings" with senators, who would have to vote to confirm his nomination.

U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz speaking with attendees at the 2022 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Gage Skidmore/Flickr)

(The Daily Signal) — Former Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination Thursday to become attorney general in the second Trump term.

He said the move followed many “excellent meetings” with senators, who would have to vote to confirm his nomination.

“I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many,” Gaetz said in a post on X. “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,” he added.

“Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz wrote. “I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”

This article was originally published at The Daily Signal.

 

Tyler O'Neil

Tyler O'Neil is managing editor of The Daily Signal and the author of "Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center."