Gaetz says he will not be returning to Congress after dropping attorney general bid
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz says he will not be returning to Congress after taking his name out of consideration for U.S. attorney general.
Gaetz, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department last week, had resigned from his seat in Congress and stated his “intent” not to return after winning reelection. But on Thursday, Gaetz withdrew his name rather than continue to fight an uphill battle for Senate confirmation to the post amid an ongoing congressional investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him.
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Speaking with Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist, on Friday, Gaetz said he is “still going to be in the fight.”
“But it’s going to be from a new perch,” Gaetz said. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress.”
After Gaetz withdrew on Thursday, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, another Floridian who served as the state’s attorney general, in his place.
A special election to determine a successor to Gaetz as the representative of the state’s First Congressional District covering the westernmost parts of the Florida Panhandle will be held on April 1, 2025, the Florida Department of State announced on Friday.
This story was originally published November 22, 2024 at 12:50 PM.
