Former Florida representative Matt Gaetz, recently nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of attorney general, has withdrawn his nomination.
His withdrawal follows allegations of misconduct, and other candidates are now being considered, Fox News reported.
Gaetz made his announcement on Thursday, citing his nomination as "a distraction" on social media platform X. The allegations against him included accusations of paying underage women for sexual activities during the nomination process. His decision to resign was intended to prevent further distraction to the administration's efforts.
Responding to the situation, Former President Donald Trump expressed his gratitude towards Gaetz on Truth Social, acknowledging his initial success and dedication despite the unfortunate circumstances that led to his withdrawal.
Trump wrote, "He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect."
With Gaetz stepping down, speculation about his potential replacement has increased. Officials are considering Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, former White House attorney Mark Paoletta, Senator Mike Lee from Utah, and former Florida AG Pam Bondi.
Andrew Bailey, appointed as Missouri Attorney General in 2022, has been active in filing numerous lawsuits against the Biden administration and defending conservative policies.
Former White House attorney Mark Paoletta, deeply involved in the Trump transition team's Justice Department policy, remarked on X, noting that he had not spoken to Trump about the attorney general role.
On the other hand, Senator Mike Lee has publicly declined interest in leaving Congress for the attorney general position.
In a statement to Deseret News, he remarked, "I have the job I want," emphasizing his excitement for future legislative collaborations under Trump's administration.
Pam Bondi has shown interest in the attorney general position and is a veteran prosecutor with 18 years of experience. Currently, she is working with the America First Policy Institute, aligning closely with President-elect Trump's political strategy.
Last Wednesday, Gaetz also resigned from Congress, a move that followed months of scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over the allegations he faced.
Looking forward, it remains uncertain how the administration will address the vacancy left by Gaetz. The situation has underscored the complexities and legal entanglements often involved in appointing high-ranking officials, especially under the cloud of controversy.
