Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration for attorney general after being tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve in the position.

Gaetz said that his decision came after meeting with senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. He said that it was “clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.” Gaetz’s withdrawal comes as multiple senators expressed concern over his confirmation and the House Ethics Committee weighed releasing a report on alleged sexual misconduct.

“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 wrote.

“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.”

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

Trump released a statement on Gaetz’s decision, writing, “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!”

Gaetz’s withdrawal from the AG position comes after he resigned from Congress when Trump nominated him to serve in the administration. Gaetz, a congressman since 2017, wrote in his resignation letter on November 14, “I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress.”

The Florida congressman is the subject of an Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The committee met behind closed doors on Wednesday to discuss the report, but did not come to an agreement on releasing what it had found on Gaetz.

CNN reported on Thursday that the Ethics Committee was told of a second alleged sexual encounter between Gaetz and a 17-year-old in 2017. According to CNN, Gaetz announced that he was withdrawing his name 45 minutes after reporters had asked for comment from him on the second allegation.

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Vice President-elect JD Vance took Gaetz around Capitol Hill to meet with key senators, and multiple Republicans urged their colleagues to wait for the confirmation hearing before rushing to judgment on any of the allegations against Gaetz. The Department of Justice also investigated Gaetz over alleged sex trafficking, but did not bring any charges against him.