Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s controversial choice for Attorney General, who was in hot water with a report due out concerning serious allegations of, among other things, intimate relations with an underage girl, has announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy for Attorney General.
Breaking News: Matt Gaetz, President-elect Trump’s pick for attorney general, said he was withdrawing from consideration for the role. Follow live updates.
— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2024-11-21T17:43:34.853Z
In a tweet, Gaetz confirmed his decision to withdraw his candidacy, explaining that he had “unfairly” become a distraction to the transition work of Donald Trump’s incoming administration.
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
Breaking News: Federal investigators established a trail of payments from Matt Gaetz to women, including some who testified he hired them for sex, according to a document obtained by The New York Times and a lawyer representing some of the women. nyti.ms/3YXR0ij
— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2024-11-20T23:47:43.401Z
According to CNN, Gaetz’s decision to step down as Attorney General was motivated by the fear that even more compromising information might surface in the House Ethics Committee report, and that there might be previously unknown witnesses who had been questioned by the committee.