ABC News: Former Florida AG Pam Bondi to be the new nominee
Amid scrutiny over an unreleased House ethics report, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz on Thursday ended his controversial bid to become U.S. attorney general.
The move came as Northwest Florida politicians have started to line up to seek Gaetz’ old U.S. House seat while they await an announcement about details of a special election. Gaetz, who had represented the area since 2016, resigned from the House after President-elect Donald Trump announced he had selected Gaetz for attorney general.
(ABC News is reporting Trump's new Attorney General nominee selection would be former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.)
Gaetz' announcement Thursday that he would not continue pursuing the attorney general job followed meetings Wednesday with U.S. senators. The Senate would have had to confirm Gaetz to head the Department of Justice.
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback -- and the incredible support of so many,” Gaetz posted on X. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.”
Gaetz said he didn’t want to waste time on “a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.”
“Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1,” Gaetz said in the post. “I remain fully committed to see 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'm certain he will Save America.”
Gaetz did not immediately disclose his future plans.
Trump said in a post that he “greatly” appreciated Gaetz’ effort to receive confirmation.
“He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Democrats called Gaetz’ withdrawal welcome news but indicated they expect Trump’s next pick for the job to be as equally controversial.
“I’m glad to see Matt Gaetz withdraw from consideration, but make no mistake: President-elect Trump picked him because he knew he could count on Gaetz to weaponize the Department of Justice and go after his political enemies,” Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., posted on X. “He’ll look for the same thing in his next nominee.”
Gaetz has long been a political lightning rod, including for orchestrating the removal of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in 2023.
Gaetz resigned from his congressional seat on Nov. 13, the day he drew Trump’s nomination for attorney general.
The timing of the nomination and Gaetz’ resignation drew questions, as the House Ethics Committee was poised to release a report on its investigation into allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor and possibly violated sex-trafficking laws.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations, posting on X shortly before announcing his withdrawal from attorney-general consideration that the “years-old allegations” were from sources “previously deemed not credible” and with a political motive.”
According to Axios, multiple Senate Republicans wanted to see the report. While Gaetz was meeting with senators, Republicans on the House committee voted against making the findings public.
Meanwhile, a wait continued Thursday for the state to set a special election in Congressional District 1, which is made up of all or parts of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. The solidly Republican seat has drawn interest from several potential candidates.
State Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, and Rep. Joel Rudman, R-Navarre, have announced they intend to run for the seat. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Tuesday posted on X that he was “strongly considering running for Florida Congressional District 1.”
Salzman and Rudman praised Gaetz in posts Thursday on X, with Rudman saying “Gaetz would have been a fantastic Attorney General. If he wants to come back to Congress, I will support him 100%. If not, I am ready to carry the torch and fight like hell to make him proud!”
