The real reason Matt Gaetz withdrew from the Attorney General position chosen by Trump

Former GOP Representative Matt Gaetz announced on Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration to serve as Attorney General in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Gaetz shared the news in a post on X, citing concerns about becoming a distraction to the Trump-Vance transition team’s efforts.

“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,” Gaetz wrote. “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’s decision came after a series of meetings with senators earlier this week. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the meetings were generally positive but ultimately faced challenges in securing the necessary support for his confirmation. The source also noted that it remains unclear if the potential release of a House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz influenced his decision to step aside.

The former Florida lawmaker had been seen as a strong contender for the role, but his withdrawal highlights the complexities of navigating the confirmation process in a polarized political climate. Trump’s team now faces the task of selecting a new nominee to ensure the Department of Justice is prepared to begin work immediately upon his inauguration.

Gaetz’s departure underscores the need for a smooth transition and reflects his commitment to the broader goals of the incoming administration.