Matt Gaetz on Thursday withdrew his name from consideration to become President Trump’s Attorney General.
BREAKING: Matt Gaetz Withdraws His Attorney General Nomination, Trump Responds
“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. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz said.
“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,” he added.
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…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. 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. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” President Trump said.
Statement from President-elect @realDonaldTrump after Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for AG. pic.twitter.com/nAFsOlSTl7
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 21, 2024
According to MSNBC, at least five GOP senators were a firm 'no' against the nomination of Gaetz for the attorney general role.
They included:
Breaking on @MSNBC:
At least five Senate Republicans were a 'no' on Matt Gaetz — McConnell, Murkowski, Collins, Mullin, Sen.-elect Curtis — and had communicated to other senators they were unlikely to be swayed.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 21, 2024
🚨Just in: The five Republican senators who were a hard no on Matt Gaetz nomination for Attorney General has officially been released
Markwayne Mullin (Oklahoma)
Mitch McConnell (Kentucky)
Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
Susan Collins (Maine)
John Curtis (Utah)Via: MSNBC pic.twitter.com/GJLlBQbuYb
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) November 21, 2024
Per NBC News:
At least five Senate Republicans — Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma and Sen.-elect John Curtis of Utah — were "noes" on Gaetz and had communicated to other senators and those close to Trump that they were unlikely to be swayed, according to five people with direct knowledge.
One of the sources said at least 20, and as many as 30, Senate Republicans were very uncomfortable about having to vote for Gaetz on the floor. Gaetz could afford to lose only three Republicans in a floor vote if Vance cast a tiebreaking vote.
After having met with Gaetz on Wednesday, Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, told NBC News that the subject of the allegations arose.
Ernst said Gaetz brought up the allegations himself during their conversation.
“He was very forthcoming, but that’s all I’m going to say, because he will go through a very fair confirmation process with Senator Grassley, and I think a lot of this will get flushed out then,” Ernst added. "I’m just reserving judgment.” Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is the incoming chair of the Judiciary Committee.
Following Gaetz's announcement Thursday, Collins told reporters that there were a lot of “red flags” around Gaetz and that withdrawing was the “best decision he could have made.”
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