Former Florida Republican elected official Matt Gaetz, chosen by Donald Trump as Minister of Justice, announced Thursday that he was relinquishing this post, after a week of controversy sparked by this choice.
“Despite strong momentum, it is clear that the confirmation of my nomination was unfairly becoming a distraction from the crucial task of the Trump/Vance transition team,” he explained on X the day after of a meeting with senators in preparation for the Senate hearings next year to confirm his nomination.
“There is no time to waste in a needlessly prolonged fight in Washington, which is why I will withdraw from the nomination process for justice minister,” he added.
Matt Gaetz, who was the subject of an investigation by the House of Representatives in particular for alleged sexual offenses, resigned from this assembly on November 13 shortly after the announcement of the choice of president-elect. Donald Trump endorsed his withdrawal, expressing his “respect” for this decision on his Truth Social network and promising him a “beautiful future”.
The choice of Matt Gaetz for the strategic Department of Justice caused a stir both because of the very controversial nature of the character and his lack of legal experience. His resignation de facto put an end to the investigation by the House Ethics Committee into paid sexual relations, including with a minor, which he denies, illegal consumption of narcotics, embezzlement of campaign funds and various professional misconduct.
Republican leaders, including the president of this assembly, Mike Johnson, affirm that this report is no longer relevant since the investigation is closed. But elected officials from both sides called for it to at least be sent to the Senate.
During a closed meeting on Wednesday the two camps were unable to agree on the follow-up to be given to this investigation.
Matt Gaetz is accused of having had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, which he denies, and was the subject of a federal investigation which was dismissed. The investigation by the ethics commission launched in 2021 focuses in particular on accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior – prostitution being notably illegal in Florida – and drug consumption.
