{"id":2371729,"date":"2024-11-21T13:37:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T18:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/matt-gaetz-withdraws-attorney-general-nomination-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-11-21T15:17:30","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T20:17:30","slug":"matt-gaetz-withdraws-attorney-general-nomination-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/matt-gaetz-withdraws-attorney-general-nomination-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Gaetz withdraws attorney general nomination &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmatt-gaetz-withdraws-attorney-general-nomination-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2371729&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz\u2064 has withdrawn his \u200bnomination to \u2062become Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump amid scrutiny from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-admits-there-were-federal-informants-within-the-oathkeepers\/\" title=\"DOJ Admits There Were Federal Informants Within the Oathkeepers\">ongoing investigations related<\/a> to allegations \u200cof \u200dsex \u200dtrafficking and inappropriate conduct with minors. Gaetz announced his decision after a series of meetings with senators and noting that his nomination had become a \u200cdistraction\u2062 to the Trump administration&#8217;s transition \u200defforts.<\/p>\n<p>In his statement, Gaetz expressed gratitude for the \u200dsupport he received but acknowledged that the media attention and controversy surrounding his nomination were counterproductive to the work that needed to be done. He has denied any wrongdoing but has \u2062faced significant\u2063 allegations, including reports from investigations suggesting he paid women for sex and engaged in sexual encounters with a\u200d 17-year-old \u2062while serving in Congress. His departure from \u2062the nomination was reported shortly after\u2063 <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">media \u200doutlets began probing<\/a> further into these allegations.<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz&#8217;s withdrawal marks a striking turn in a week that had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-senators-work-to-block-bidens-plans-literally\/\" title=\"GOP senators actively obstruct Biden&#039;s plans.\">drawn significant attention<\/a> in Washington, given his\u2063 previously allied stance with Trump and his contentious reputation in Congress. The announcement of\u200c his withdrawal was met with mixed reactions from other lawmakers, some of whom had predicted the outcome. \u2063 <\/p>\n<p>The Department of Justice had previously\u200c declined to \u200dprosecute Gaetz based on the investigations, but\u2062 the \u2064ongoing inquiries and \u200cassociated leaks have kept the focus on his actions, ultimately leading to his decision to \u200bstep aside \u200bfrom the nomination for \u200bthe \u2062critical role leading the \u200cJustice Department.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Matt Gaetz withdraws attorney general nomination<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1885649\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Former Rep. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/matt-gaetz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Matt Gaetz\">Matt Gaetz<\/a> announced Thursday that. he was removing himself from consideration to become President-elect <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s attorney general, ending a weeklong fixation in Washington on Trump&rsquo;s surprise choice to lead the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Justice Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Gaetz said in a statement that after meeting with numerous senators and attracting a barrage of media reports over his controversial nomination, it had become apparent that his confirmation pursuit was &ldquo;unfairly becoming a distraction.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback &ndash; and the incredible support of so many,&rdquo; Gaetz said. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz, a confrontational conservative firebrand, came under intense scrutiny for DOJ and House Ethics Committee investigations related to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-gaetz-names-ex-doj-official-he-claims-tried-to-extort-millions-promised-biden-pardon\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Gaetz Names Ex-DOJ Official He Claims Tried To Extort Millions, Promised Biden Pardon\">sex trafficking allegations<\/a> and sexual relations with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing, but the inquiries captivated Washington in the wake of his nomination.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I&rsquo;ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General,&rdquo; Gaetz said. &ldquo;Trump&rsquo;s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ declined to prosecute Gaetz last year, and the House Ethics Committee had not yet completed its inquiry into Gaetz when his nomination was announced.<\/p>\n<p>But documents and interviews from the inquiries leaked to the media brought to light that Gaetz, 42, paid various women thousands of dollars, allegedly for sex, and that he allegedly had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old while he was a freshman in Congress. CNN <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/PaulaReidCNN\/status\/1859651549993238811\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">reported<\/a> that Gaetz&rsquo;s withdrawal announcement came less than an hour after the outlet contacted him saying it planned to report on a second sexual encounter between Gaetz and the teenage minor.<\/p>\n<p>Gaetz <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3230119\/nine-times-matt-gaetz-stirred-controversy-congress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">became<\/a> known as an outlier in Congress after feuding with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, becoming one of Trump&rsquo;s closest congressional allies, and stirring general controversy with his confrontational demeanor.<\/p>\n<p>His nomination was met with swift opposition from Democrats, as well as skepticism and annoyance from some Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Max Miller (R-OH), who blasted Gaetz&rsquo;s nomination as an attention grab, reacted to the withdrawal news by saying it was predictable.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to dance on his grave, but I was the first one to call it,&rdquo; Miller said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Max Miller just now when I asked him thoughts on Gaetz withdrawing name from AG nomination: &#8220;I&rsquo;m not going to dance on his grave, but I was the first one to call it.&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yCK4lNFY9Z\">https:\/\/t.co\/yCK4lNFY9Z<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cami_mondeaux\/status\/1859653175864852770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">November 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Gaetz abruptly resigned from his congressional seat when Trump announced his nomination last week, days before the Ethics Committee was expected to conclude its inquiry into him.<\/p>\n<p>While Gaetz indicated at the time that he would not return to Congress next year either, despite having been reelected in Florida&rsquo;s 1st Congressional District, it was not immediately clear if he would follow through on those plans.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trump acknowledged Gaetz&rsquo;s decision in a statement on Truth Social, saying that the former congressman was &ldquo;doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration for which he has much respect.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>A spokesman for Trump&rsquo;s transition team did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1885649\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1885649\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Matt Gaetz withdraws from attorney general nomination<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":2371730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/matt-gaetz-ethics.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32116,32688,9134,32076],"class_list":["post-2371729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-attorney-general","tag-matt-gaetz","tag-nomination","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/matt-gaetz-ethics.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2371729"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2371733,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2371729\/revisions\/2371733"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2371730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2371729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2371729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2371729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}