Former GOP Congressman Matt Gaetz dropped out from attorney General consideration six minutes before CNN was to publish further details about his sexual misconduct allegations.
Gaetz had been investigated by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sex trafficking, sexual misconduct, and illicit drug use when President-elect Trump shockingly picked Gaetz as AG on November 13, 2024.
This prompted the embattled Florida Representative to immediately resign from Congress, rendering the Committee without jurisdiction over the case. And then Republicans on the committee voted to block the release of their final report.
Earlier this afternoon, Gaetz unexpectedly pulled out of consideration for Attorney General, saying his confirmation "was unfairly becoming a distraction" as Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance prepare their move into the West Wing.
At 12:24 p.m. ET on Thursday, Gaetz wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
"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 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 continued:
"Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. 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."
But CNN knew there was more to the story behind his impulsive exit.
A source told the news outlet that the woman who previously claimed to have had sex with Gaetz when she was 17 informed the House Ethics Committee she had two sexual encounters with him at one party in 2017.
The woman said the second sexual encounter, which hadn't been reported before, involved another woman.
Before breaking the story, CNN's Paula Reid reached out to Gaetz for comment on the story. She also informed him the scoop was going live at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Six minutes before CNN broke the story, Gaetz made his dramatic announcement.
As CNN notes:
After being asked for comment for this story, Gaetz announced he was backing out as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee.
How convenient.
People had plenty to say about the latest developments.
Gaetz has continued to deny any wrongdoing but despite resigning from Congress and now dropping his bid for Attorney General, the ethics report may still be released if Democrats have a say.
Republican Senators meanwhile were unfazed by Gaetz's announcement on Thursday as it was clear they were unlikely to give Trump's highly contentious cabinet pick a majority vote even in a Republican majority Senate. Trump subsequently put forward a new nominee for AG, Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of Florida.
