Trump praises Gaetz after AG nod falls through

Jared Gans

21 November 2024 at 1:17 pm·2-min read

President-elect Trump said former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has a “wonderful future” ahead of him following the former congressman’s withdrawal as Trump’s nominee to become attorney general.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that he “greatly” appreciates Gaetz’s efforts in seeking to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ) but recognized he didn’t want to be a distraction.

“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!” he said.

Gaetz announced his withdrawal from the nomination in a post on the social platform X on Thursday, saying he had “excellent meetings” with senators on Wednesday but his confirmation process 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.”

Trump declared Gaetz his choice to lead the DOJ only a week ago, spurring significant backlash from his critics and becoming the most controversial of the incoming president’s picks for his Cabinet.

Gaetz has been the subject of a years-long House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct, but the committee passed on releasing its report at its meeting on Wednesday. A source familiar with the panel’s deliberations said the committee voted on party lines against releasing the report as it currently stands, but it did vote to complete the report.

The committee is set to meet again on Dec. 5.

Gaetz was also the subject of a DOJ investigation over the allegations, but the department ultimately decided not to bring charges against him.

Gaetz resigned from his House seat, which he had held since 2017, immediately after Trump announced his nomination, just ahead of the scheduled Ethics Committee meeting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

HuffPost
Trump Leveled This Condescending Remark At A Female Journalist — And Experts Have Thoughts
The president-elect made the startling remark to veteran journalist Kristen Welker during a wide-ranging sit-down interview on "Meet the Press."
CNN
Syrian rebel leader’s victory speech holds a message for Iran – and for Trump and Israel too
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s road to Damascus has been long. He has talked openly about his change along the way. From young al Qaeda fighter two decades ago, to rebel commander espousing sectarian tolerance.
HuffPost
Mary Trump Exposes Family Irony In Uncle's 'Despicable' Vow
Donald Trump "seems to forget" one key thing, said the president-elect's niece.
HuffPost UK
Turkish President Erdogan Says He And Putin Are 'Only' Two Leaders Left In The World
His bizarre remarks follow the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.
HuffPost
'So F**king Tacky': Donald Trump Slammed Over 'Gross' Bid To Cash In On Jill Biden Photo
Critics ripped the president-elect over a post on his Truth Social platform.
NewsWire
‘Disturbing’: Dutton slammed on flag pledge
Peter Dutton has made a controversial election pitch as the country edges closer to Australia Day, but that decision has been slammed as dismissive.
Reuters
China sends largest naval fleet in decades to region, threat level severe, Taiwan says
TAIPEI (Reuters) -China is deploying its largest navy fleet in regional waters in nearly three decades, posing a threat to Taiwan that is more pronounced than previous Chinese war games, the Taiwanese defence ministry said on Tuesday. Speaking in Taipei, defence ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said the scale of the current Chinese naval deployment in an area running from the southern Japanese islands down into the South China Sea was the largest since China held war games around Taiwan ahead of 1996 Taiwanese presidential elections. China's military has yet to comment and has not confirmed it is carrying out any exercises.
NewsWire
‘Slack’: Dire warning on Albo’s future
Jacqui Lambie is warning Anthony Albanese’s days could be numbered after a key poll found the Prime Minister weak.
The Daily Beast
Lara Trump Ditches RNC as Bigger Political Future Beckons
Lara Trump, the wife of Donald Trump’s third child, Eric, announced her resignation as co-chair of the Republican National Committee Sunday night—prompting a new round of speculation over her political future. The 42-year-old posted on X Sunday night that “serving as the @GOP co-chair throughout the course of the most consequential election in American history has truly been the honor of my life.” The news was initially reported by the Associated Press, which noted the former television producer
Associated Press Finance
Argentina’s Milei marks one year in office. Here's how his shock measures are reshaping the economy
When libertarian President Javier Milei assumed office one year ago, Argentine supermarkets were marking price increases on an almost daily basis. It was popular outrage over this upside-down economy that fueled the rise of Milei, a self-declared “anarcho-capitalist” and former TV pundit who rode to power on vows to “blow up” the central bank, take an axe to the bloated government and kill sky-high inflation. It was an almost impossible job, and Milei's lack of government experience, unkempt hairdo, sexual boasts and missionary-like zeal for his dead dog, the Rolling Stones and the free market didn't inspire much confidence in a country with a history of failed economic reforms.
The Hill
Schiff: Trump jail threat ‘about sending a message that no one better hold him to account’
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said President-elect Trump’s threat to throw members of the House committee that investigated rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in jail is a signal “that no one better hold him to account.” “This is not just about retribution against those of us on the committee,” Schiff said on MSNBC’s…
The Hill
Opinion - Russia’s authoritarianism and imperialism block a just peace in Ukraine
The Russo-Ukrainian war cannot end until all sides want a stable and just peace, and the greatest obstacle to such an outcome is the Russian regime, which is deeply authoritarian and hostile to Ukraine.
The Independent
Ukraine-Russia latest: Zelensky won’t sacrifice young troops to Putin’s forces for more weapons from West
Ukraine hits back against pressure to lower conscription age to 18
The Hill
Opinion - Democratic attorneys general are itching to challenge Trump’s agenda
Without question, Democratic attorneys general will be important national actors over the next four years.
Cover Media
President-Elect Trump Outlines Bold First-Day Agenda
Donald Trump has announced bold plans for his first day in office, vowing to review pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. In a recent interview with NBC's Meet the Press, he described their conditions as “hellish” and pledged quick action.
The Independent
Trump gushes over ‘really, very handsome’ Prince William and dishes on their Paris meeting
Trump was in Paris for a celebration marking the re-opening of the fire-damaged Notre-Dame cathedral
The Hill
Opinion - Trump has no use for the Senate: Why not get rid of it?
With his demand for Congress to allow recess appointments for his executive and judicial appointments, Trump is letting his imperial side show.
The Independent
Trump trolls Jill Biden as he hawks new perfume: ‘A fragrance your enemies can’t resist’
Trump also met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky while in Paris
The Independent
Zelensky open to idea of Western troops in Ukraine
President Zelensky stresses that even with an invitation to the NATO military alliance, long-term protection would still be uncertain in the face of future Russian aggression
CNN
A mass animal sacrifice festival is underway in Nepal. Activists say it needs to stop
Animal rights activists have urged the Nepali government to stop what they’ve called “an appalling bloodbath” after they claimed thousands of animals were killed as part of a festival held every five years that traditionally ends with a mass animal sacrifice.

Latest stories