Washington, DC – Former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida announced on Friday that he has decided not to return to Congress, after withdrawing his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. Gaetz revealed his decision during an interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, expressing his intention to stay engaged in political battles from a different vantage point. Gaetz, who has served in elected office for 14 years, shared that he feels it is time for new leadership in his district and is looking forward to seeing it flourish under fresh representation.
During the interview, Gaetz emphasized that he will continue to support President Trump and carry out any tasks requested of him, while also pursuing other personal goals in life. Despite having just been re-elected for another term in Congress, Gaetz made it clear that he believes it is time for a new chapter. His departure from Congress comes amidst ongoing investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, including accusations that he engaged in sexual activities with a minor and an adult woman at a party in 2017. The House Ethics Committee has been conducting an investigation on this matter.
While the Department of Justice had been looking into sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz, they ultimately decided not to pursue charges against him. Gaetz has vehemently denied all allegations against him, characterizing them as attempts to damage his reputation. During the interview with Charlie Kirk, Gaetz asserted that the accusations were baseless and unfounded, claiming that they would not hold up under scrutiny. He further suggested that the insubstantial nature of the allegations is evident in the lack of legal consequences he has faced thus far.
Gaetz resigned from Congress after being selected by Trump to serve as attorney general, a nomination that proved to be controversial due to the ongoing investigations. Throughout his tenure in the House, Gaetz faced criticism from members of the House Republican Conference, particularly for his involvement in the removal of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. As Gaetz steps away from Congress, he leaves behind a legacy of political activism and controversy while signaling a new phase in his career.