Representative Matt Gaetz has resigned from the House of Representatives after his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) said that this is true since according to him, the Florida lawmaker had already submitted his notice of resignation on the day when Trump made the announcement.
Johnson said that Gaetz’s resignation-from-effect arrived so shockingly to the House leaders. Gaetz has said that the new position in Trump’s administration calls for his devotion absolutely. He would not be able to fulfill both jobs balanced.
The timing of the move coincides with a broader strategy by Trump’s selection of congressional allies for key positions within the administration. Gaetz is the third Republican lawmaker chosen by Trump, coming after Rep. Elise Stefanik’s (R-N.Y.) nomination for U.N. Ambassador and Rep. Mike Waltz’s (R-Fla.) nomination for National Security Advisor. His confirmation for Attorney General will also face stiff opposition from critics who seek to define Gaetz by his notorious past.
Senate Republicans have been vocal in questioning his qualifications, as well as past accusations of misconduct including a probe into an allegation that he had a sexual relationship with a minor. While the Justice Department did not pursue charges, several GOP senators publicly said a Gaetz confirmation would be under intense scrutiny.
Yet despite these roadblocks, Trump has hailed Gaetz as a “gifted and tenacious” attorney who will restore integrity to the Justice Department. Gaetz’s resignation will allow for a possible replacement in Congress as early as January 3, as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis now has up to eight weeks to fill the vacancy.
The nomination has elicited mixed reactions from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who have questioned the viability of the move, given Gaetz’s controversial reputation and Senate hurdles.
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