Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida has withdrawn his nomination for Attorney General in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration, citing concerns about becoming a distraction to the administration’s priorities.
“Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz said in a statement announcing his withdrawal on November 21, 2024. His decision follows mounting pressure from Senate Republicans and persistent scrutiny of his past, including a federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, which concluded without criminal charges. Separately, the House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and other improper conduct by Gaetz.
The scrutiny surrounding Gaetz partly stems from his association with Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax collector who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Investigators had examined claims that Gaetz and Greenberg paid underage girls and escorts for inappropriate acts—allegations Gaetz has consistently denied.
Adding to the pressure, Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee have requested the FBI share documents related to the closed investigation into Gaetz. While the Justice Department rarely shares sensitive case information with Congress, Democrats argue precedent exists, citing the release of records during the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
Despite the Justice Department’s decision not to pursue charges, Senate Republicans expressed reservations about Gaetz’s nomination, noting the unresolved House Ethics Committee inquiry. Some Republican senators indicated they would have been reluctant to support the nomination without first reviewing the committee’s findings.
Trump’s selection of Gaetz was seen as bold, signaling the former president’s continued influence over the Republican Party. Gaetz, however, would have been the first Attorney General in two decades without prior Justice Department experience. His nomination faced steep opposition, highlighting the challenges of consolidating GOP support in a polarized Congress, where Republicans will hold majorities in both chambers next year.
In the wake of Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump announced the nomination of Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, to the role. Bondi, who served from 2011 to 2019, is widely respected within the GOP for her tough-on-crime policies and loyalty to Trump. She worked closely with the Trump administration during his first term and was a prominent defender during his impeachment proceedings.
After the Gaetz controversy, Trump supporters have praised Bondi’s nomination as a stabilizing choice. Her extensive experience in legal and political arenas and her alignment with Trump’s policy priorities are expected to bolster her confirmation prospects in the Senate.
