Matt Gaetz withdraws nomination as Trump’s attorney general

Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to serve as Donald Trump’s attorney general amid a series of sexual misconduct allegations.

The Florida senator’s nomination was one of Trump’s most controversial choices for his future administration.

He has been accused of sex trafficking and having had intercourse with a 17-year-old minor, claims he denies.

Announcing that he was withdrawing his name for the role, Mr. Gaetz on X, formerly Twitter: “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction from the critical work of the Trump-Vance transition.”

He added: “There is no time to waste on an unnecessarily protracted tussle in Washington, so I will be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”

Mr. Gaetz said he remains “fully committed to seeing that Donald J. Trump is the most successful president in history.

“I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice, and I am confident that he will save America.”

Trump posted on Truth Social after the announcement.

He wrote: “I greatly appreciate the recent effort by Matt Gaetz to seek approval to become Attorney General.

“He did very well, but at the same time did not want to be a distraction for the administration, for which he has great respect.

“Matt has a wonderful future and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do!”