Matt Gaetz resignation/ Gaetz AG withdrawal/ Pam Bondi attorney general/ Trump transition/ House Ethics investigation/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ Morning Edition/ Matt Gaetz announced he will not return to Congress next year, following his withdrawal as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Gaetz, who has faced allegations of misconduct, stated he plans to support Trump’s administration from a new role and praised Trump’s subsequent pick, Pam Bondi, for the attorney general post.
Matt Gaetz Exits Congress: Quick Looks
- No Congressional Return: Gaetz confirmed he will not join the 119th Congress after serving since 2016.
- AG Nomination Withdrawal: Gaetz stepped back from consideration, citing his potential confirmation as a distraction.
- Praise for Bondi: Gaetz endorsed Pam Bondi, Trump’s new attorney general nominee, as “phenomenal.”
- Future Plans: Gaetz pledged to continue supporting Trump and participating in the next administration’s transition efforts.
- Eight-Year Tenure Ends: Gaetz deemed his time in Congress sufficient, signaling a shift to other political roles.
Matt Gaetz Won’t Return to Congress, Praises Pam Bondi as AG Pick
Deep Look: Matt Gaetz Confirms Congressional Exit After AG Nomination Withdrawal
A Swift Exit from Congress
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz announced Friday that he will not return to Congress in 2025, following his withdrawal as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Speaking with conservative host Charlie Kirk, Gaetz framed his departure as part of a broader commitment to supporting Trump from a different platform.
The announcement ends Gaetz’s eight-year tenure in the House, where he was first elected in 2016 as a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies.
Ethics Inquiry and AG Nomination Fallout
Gaetz resigned from Congress earlier this month, ahead of the release of a House Ethics Committee report investigating allegations of sexual misconduct. Gaetz has consistently denied the accusations, but scrutiny around the investigation was seen as a potential obstacle to his confirmation as attorney general.
“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,” Gaetz said in his withdrawal statement on Thursday.
Praise for Pam Bondi and Trump’s Transition
Gaetz praised Trump’s subsequent nomination of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role, calling her “a bright legal mind” and “a phenomenal attorney general for Donald Trump.”
“My good friend Pam Bondi is going to be phenomenal. She hates criminals, has the legal acumen, and is a fellow Floridian,” Gaetz told Kirk, adding that Bondi’s confirmation process is unlikely to face the “sharp edges” that his would have.
Gaetz emphasized his continued involvement in Trump’s transition efforts and pledged to support the administration however he can. “I’m going to be fighting for President Trump and doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have,” he said.
Future Representation for Florida’s 1st District
With Gaetz’s departure, the race to represent Florida’s 1st Congressional District has attracted several candidates. Gaetz expressed confidence in his potential successors, saying, “There are a number of fantastic Floridians who’ve stepped up to run for my seat… Northwest Florida will have great representation.”
Reflections on Eight Years in Congress
Looking back on his time in the House, Gaetz suggested that his departure was a natural progression. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.
What’s Next for Gaetz?
While Gaetz ruled out a return to Congress, he remains committed to Trump’s vision and plans to continue influencing conservative politics.
“This is the political process. Sometimes the path you’re on takes you to a different place—and it could be a glorious place,” Gaetz said, hinting at his evolving role in the Trump administration and the broader conservative movement.
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