Nov. 21 (UPI) — Former Republican member of Congress Matt Gaetz announced Thursday he is withdrawing from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump‘s choice for attorney general.
Trump’s pick of the right-wing GOP firebrand had generated displeasure from several Republican lawmakers due to the controversy over Gaetz’s connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation.
His withdrawal announcement comes a day after he met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill.
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many,” Gaetz wrote in a post on X. “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.”
