Rep. Matt Gaetz stepped down from his position in the U.S. House of Representatives just hours after Donald Trump picked him as Attorney General.
The dramatic move by Gaetz came as Punchbowl News revealed the impending release of a ‘highly damaging’ report concerning sex trafficking and drug use allegations against the Florida rep.
Now that Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress, the House Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction over him, although the report may still be released.
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s DOJ also conducted an investigation into the Florida Republican over claims of sex trafficking, but he was never charged.
Gaetz’s decision came as even Republicans questioned whether the controversial pick to head the Justice Department could clear the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that he received Gaetz’s resignation letter on Wednesday, effective immediately.
Now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be able to appoint someone else to fill Gaetz’s opening House seat in in Florida’s 1st congressional district.
Johnson admitted that the resignation ‘caught us by surprise a little bit,’ but says he believes Gaetz resigned in order to prevent vacancies in the closely-split House and give DeSantis the eight weeks to find his successor.
DeSantis received a call from Johnson today to start initiating the process of finding a replacement.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Gaetz on and off since 2021.
The panel announced earlier this year that the GOP lawmaker was under investigation for sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery.
Allegations regarding Gaetz’s sexual relationships with underage girls resurfaced Wednesday after Trump announced the Florida representative as his pick for Attorney General.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin slammed Gaetz earlier this year for showing images of girls he ‘slept with’ to colleagues on the floor of the U.S. House.
The Oklahoma Senator now tells CNN that he trusts Trump’s decision to pick Gaetz to join his cabinet and lead the Justice Department.
But he warned Geatz about questions he will have to face during Senate confirmation hearings.
Republican senators expressed hesitation when asked for their reactions to news of the nomination.
‘I have to noodle that one a little while,’ said Sen. Kevin Cramer to Washington Post reporter Liz Goodwin.
Sen. Cornyn also said he was not sure.
‘I don’t know the man other than just his public persona,’ he said.
Sen. Tom Tillis indicated that it would be difficult for Gaetz to get 50 votes in the Senate, but said he would give him an ‘honest look.’
‘You got to have the credentials right so that’ll come out in the hearing, but then you have to have the relationships,’ he said, referring to Gaetz’s persona.
