Following former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s announcement that he was dropping his nomination to become the next attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump was quick to praise Gaetz, confident he will do “great things” in the future.
Gaetz’s decision was made following “excellent meetings” he conducted Wednesday with senators. He opted to drop his nomination due to “unfairly becoming a distraction” for the incoming Trump administration. The former Florida lawmaker also stressed that Trump’s Department of Justice should be prepared to get to work “on day 1” and that he is still “fully committed” to Trump’s success in the White House.
“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “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. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Gaetz’s wife, Ginger Luckey Gaetz, took to X to reflect on her husband’s decision, saying, “Nobody loves America more than you,” in response to his post. She also shared a photo of her and her husband, writing, “The end of an era.”
Nobody loves America more than you
— Ginger Gaetz (@GingerLGaetz) November 21, 2024
The end of an era
https://t.co/AdXGRnfpq9 pic.twitter.com/K04Jf29hEf
— Ginger Gaetz (@GingerLGaetz) November 21, 2024
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reacted to Gaetz’s decision by stating he believed it was “appropriate.”
McConnell on Matt Gaetz withdrawing from AG:
“I think that was appropriate.”— Leigh Ann Caldwell (@LACaldwellDC) November 21, 2024
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), one of the most vocal members of Congress to oppose Gaetz’s nomination, took a victory lap on X, writing, “Matt Gaetz is never, ever becoming Attorney General.”
As I said repeatedly last week, Matt Gaetz is never, ever becoming Attorney General.
Like ever.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 21, 2024
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) said he is disappointed that Gaetz is dropping out, adding that he has not spoken to the former congressman. While he still would prefer Republican National Committee Co-Chairwoman Lara Trump take Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) Senate seat, he deemed Gaetz “would be great” as well.
Sen Rick Scott says he’s disappointed Gaetz is dropping out. He said he had not heard from him.
Said he still wants Lara Trump to take Rubio’s seat — but that “Matt would be great person” too https://t.co/hV82tYcTY8
— Mia Camille McCarthy (@Reporter_Mia) November 21, 2024
Matt Gaetz has acted with honor and put his country FIRST in his decision to withdraw.
The claims against Gaetz are false. If the DOJ had evidence to prosecute him, they most certainly would have done so.
God bless @MattGaetz for putting America First. https://t.co/ZOqLZokaP3
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) November 21, 2024
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Gaetz came under intense scrutiny for a House Ethics Committee investigation related to sex trafficking allegations. He has denied all wrongdoing throughout the investigations and his nomination for attorney general.
Ahead of the confirmations of Trump’s nominees, the Washington Examiner’s Tiana Lowe Doescher contended both Gaetz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services, would face the most “danger” in their confirmation vote.