Congress breathes sigh of relief as Gaetz withdraws AG bid
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Rep. Matt Gaetz at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 20, 2024. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Matt Gaetz's former congressional colleagues, in both parties, raised a collective cheer Thursday as the onetime Florida congressman withdrew his nomination for attorney general.
Why it matters: Gaetz's decision spares the House from a brutal fight over an Ethics Committee report on him and the Senate from an even bloodier battle over his nomination.
- But the question members were left still asking: Will Gaetz return to be sworn in for his term in the 119th Congress?
What we're hearing: "This is the only decent thing Matt Gaetz has ever done," said one House Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
- Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) told Axios: "I don't think he was going to make it across the finish line anyway."
- "It settles the matter, we're on to the next one. We've got a lot of work ahead of us ... it's really important we don't lose focus," said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.).
- "It was the right thing to do," said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.).
Yes, but: Plenty of Gaetz's former colleagues were loath to comment.
- "I don't believe in kicking someone while they're down," said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.).
On the Senate side, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) told reporters: "I respect his decision."
- "There was no path for him, and he knew that," Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told Axios.
- Mullin added: "I am surprised it happened this quick. But ... it was going to happen. There was no path for him."
Zoom in: Several senior House Democrat told Axios that Gaetz's resignation puts to rest the immediate battle over the Ethics panel's report.
- "That's the end of the fight," said one.
- But Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) signaled plans to move forward with his motion to force a House vote on releasing the report, saying it "remains important that the ... report be made available to the American people."
What to watch: One House Republican predicted that Gaetz's withdrawal is "indicative of what will happen with the other 3 problem nominees."
- Those three: Pete Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, the nominees for defense secretary, health and human services secretary and director of national intelligence, respectively.
- The lawmaker also forecast that Gaetz will have a "significant position" in the Trump administration that will not require Senate confirmation.
- Gaetz said in his resignation letter he does not "intend to" be sworn into another House term. Though there doesn't appear to be any legally binding restriction on him returning to Congress.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
