Shortly after Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general on Thursday, Fox News host Harris Faulkner suggested he could be appointed to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate if Senator Marco Rubio is confirmed to serve on President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet.
Last week, Trump nominated then-U.S. Representative Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), a selection evoking scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans. Gaetz, who represented Florida's 1st Congressional District, resigned from his House seat November 13 following his nomination. At the time, Gaetz said he did not want to serve in the same position during the 119th Congress.
Gaetz was the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations that he "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and accusations of involvement in activities leading to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Some also questioned Gaetz's ability to lead the DOJ, citing his limited legal experience and the department's previous investigation of his actions. The agency finished its probe last year and no charges were leveled against Gaetz.
Like other recent Cabinet nominees, including Rubio, who was chosen by Trump for secretary of state, Gaetz required Senate approval for attorney general confirmation.
On Thursday, Gaetz wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that he met with senators Wednesday and was grateful for "their thoughtful feedback," adding that "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."
Trump posted on Truth Social that he appreciated "the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz."
Earlier this month, Trump nominated another Florida lawmaker, U.S. Representative Michael Waltz—who represents Florida's 6th Congressional District—for national security adviser.
On Fox News, Faulkner, co-host of Fox's Outnumbered, said that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis "has to appoint—if Michael Waltz, congressman, moves on in his nominated post, if Marco Rubio, senator, moves on in his nominated post—he's got some positions to work with there in that state."
Faulkner added: "Could it be Matthew Gaetz who then becomes a U.S. senator for an interim in the state of Florida?"
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis' press team for comment via email on Thursday.
In Florida, along with 44 other states, the governor has the power to appoint someone to a vacant Senate seat as a temporary replacement. Therefore, DeSantis, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the presidential primaries, could technically appoint Gaetz to fill the seat.
Before Gaetz's withdrawal, DeSantis said he has "already received strong interest from several possible candidates," saying that the selection will "likely" be made "by the beginning of January."
DeSantis' appointee could serve until a special election is held, likely in 2026, in accordance with state law.
Ahead of Gaetz's withdrawal, there were some calls for Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of the president-elect, to fill the potentially vacant Senate seat. Other names floated have included DeSantis' chief of staff, James Uthmeier, and as Florida GOP Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez.
Gaetz supported Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 presidential campaign, but since the Florida governor dropped out in late January, Gaetz has posted support for the governor. In January, he wrote on X: "I actually still love DeSantis," and in June, he applauded the governor for helping make Florida "not a swing state." Gaetz served as an informal political adviser to DeSantis during his first gubernatorial election in 2018.
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