Former Representative Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) is withdrawing his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general, he announced Thursday.

Gaetz said that the Ethics Committee investigation into allegations he paid underage women for sex had become too much of a distraction as President-elect Trump works to staff his incoming administration.

“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz said in a statement shared on X.

“I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”

Gaetz resigned his congressional seat last week upon Trump’s decision to pick him for attorney general, a selection that sent shockwaves throughout Washington and appeared to set the stage for a bitter confirmation fight. Gaetz’s resignation came just days before the Ethics Committee was set to release a report on its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use. Gaetz has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

The withdrawal announcement came after Gaetz met with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to discuss the confirmation process.