Former congressman Matt Gaetz—who resigned from Congress after being named President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, then withdrew from consideration for that position amid mounting controversy—said in an interview Friday he will not rejoin Congress, ending speculation he could retain his seat or be appointed to a vacant Senate seat.
Former U.S. House Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., arrives to speak during the third day of the 2024 ... [+]
Gaetz made the announcement in an interview with conservative media personality Charlie Kirk, saying, “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress.”
He said “a number of fantastic Floridians” have already announced plans to run for his open seat and that he thinks “eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general Thursday after concern that he didn’t have the support he needed to be confirmed and calls mounted for the House Ethics Committee to release its report into sexual misconduct allegations and other claims against him.
After he withdrew, speculation immediately began about whether Gaetz—who was reelected to the House on Nov. 5—could and would try to return to Congress, or seek appointment to the Florida Senate seat likely to be left open by Sen. Marco Rubio, who Trump announced was his pick for secretary of state.
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“I’m going to be fighting for President Trump. I’m going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have,” Gaetz said in the interview with Kirk.