Gaetz, Trump’s AG pick, resigns from House before ethics report drop

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., made a surprising announcement late Wednesday, resigning from Congress just hours after President-elect Trump nominated him for U.S. Attorney General. This decision came days before a long-awaited House Ethics report was set to be released, which was reportedly focused on allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor and illicit drug use against Gaetz.

House Ethics Committee Chair Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., had stated that their investigation would come to an end if Gaetz stepped down from Congress. Guest clarified that the committee would lose jurisdiction over the matter once Gaetz resigned to take on a new role in the administration. Despite the nomination, the committee was still planning to issue a report once the investigation was complete.

It was reported that the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to vote on releasing the ethics report as soon as Friday, but it was delayed due to a House rule preventing the disclosure of negative findings close to an election. Gaetz’s resignation was met with mixed reactions from fellow Republicans, with some speculating that he was trying to avoid the impending ethics investigation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., provided a different explanation for Gaetz’s abrupt resignation, stating that Gaetz wanted to expedite the process of filling his House seat through a special election. Johnson expressed optimism about finding a replacement for Gaetz before the new Congress convened on Jan. 3, but the timeline was tight.

Despite Trump’s nomination, some Republican senators expressed doubts about Gaetz’s confirmation as Attorney General. Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, criticized the selection, stating that Gaetz would face scrutiny and opposition from both sides of the aisle in the Senate.

In conclusion, Rep. Matt Gaetz’s resignation from Congress and nomination for U.S. Attorney General have stirred controversy and uncertainty within the Republican party. The upcoming special election to fill his House seat and the confirmation process for the Attorney General position will continue to be closely watched developments in the political landscape.