Matt Gaetz Mocked After House Applauds Fact He Won't Return to Congress

House members applauded an official announcement on Friday that former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz will not return to Congress this term.

Newsweek reached out to One America News Network, which airs The Matt Gaetz Show, for comment from Gaetz via email on Friday.

Why It Matters

Gaetz, a staunch supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, resigned from Congress after being reelected in November to accept the nomination for attorney general in the incoming administration. Shortly after, he withdrew his name from consideration for the legal post. Late last month, he floated the idea of returning to Congress for the new session.

Gaetz has been at the center of controversy following a House Ethics Committee report that found "substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress."

Gaetz has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged. The allegations made Gaetz fairly unpopular among some of his House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Representative Matt Gaetz speaks at a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump on October 12 in Coachella, California. House members on January 3, 2025, applauded an official announcement that Gaetz will... Mario Tama/Getty Images

What To Know

Acting House Clerk Kevin McCumber addressed the lower chamber on Friday, announcing that "the clerk is in receipt of a letter from the Honorable Matt Gaetz of Florida indicating that he will not serve in the House in the 119th Congress." Members of the House were heard applauding the announcement.

The session notably included a vote for the next speaker of the House. With Gaetz no longer in Congress, Republicans hold a 219-seat majority, which allowed House Speaker Mike Johnson to only lose one vote in order to retain the speakership with the necessary 218. Ultimately, Johnson secured enough votes to retain his position.

What People Are Saying

Dean Obeidallah, a comedian, lawyer and journalist, posted on X, formerly Twitter, a video of the House applause with the caption: "LOL! House breaks into applause when clerk reads today that Matt Gaetz will not serve in this session of Congress!"

Mary Trump, niece and vocal critic of President-elect Donald Trump, wrote on X: "Telling that Matt Gaetz's absence got more applause than Mike Johnson's nomination."

C-SPAN posted the video on X with the caption: "Small round of applause heard as U.S. House clerk has enters letter from Matt Gaetz into the record saying he will not serve in the 119th Congress."

Brittany Martinez, Republican strategist, posted on X: "The House Chamber erupts with cheers for Gaetz's letter stating he will not serve in the 119th Congress. An ardent dislike for Gaetz might be the most bipartisan, bicameral issue to come out of the 118th Congress."

What Happens Next

Gaetz's seat, Florida's 1st District, is up for special election. Trump and Johnson have endorsed Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, who is stepping down to run for Congress. The primary is scheduled for January 28 with the general election to be held on April 1.

Gaetz has hinted that he may run for the Senate seat that is likely to be open once Senator Marco Rubio is confirmed as Trump's secretary of state, which Gaetz hinted at during a Turning Point USA event in late December, saying: "Maybe I'll just run for Marco Rubio's vacant seat in the United States Senate and join some of those folks."

If Rubio is confirmed, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would be tasked with appointing an interim senator to fill the seat until a special election or the next general election is held.