The attorney for two women who accused former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz of paying them for sex told Newsweek that they are "relieved to have this chapter behind them."
Florida attorney Joel Leppard told Newsweek that his clients, who had testified before the House Ethics Committee, are ready to "move forward with their lives."
Leppard previously told Newsweek that they were not looking to do so more publicly in front of the Senate during a potential confirmation process for Gaetz to become attorney general. Gaetz announced on Thursday he was withdrawing his nomination.
"My clients are relieved to have this chapter behind them and eager to move forward with their lives," Leppard said. "We're hopeful this brings final closure for all parties involved."
Gaetz posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, that he would withdraw his name from consideration because it is "clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
"I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback—and the incredible support of so many. 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 posted.
"There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General."
President-elect Donald Trump posted to Truth Social that Gaetz has a "wonderful future."
"I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General," Trump said.
"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," the president-elect added. "Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!"
Newsweek reached out to Trump and Gaetz's communications teams for further comment.
The withdrawal came amid a flurry of allegations about Gaetz having a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old and pushback to his nomination from prominent Republicans. Gaetz vehemently denies the allegations.
The probe into Gaetz stems from accusations that Gaetz was involved in recruiting women online for sex, including a 17-year-old girl. The Department of Justice last year told Gaetz that he would not face federal sex-trafficking charges.
Two other women had accused Gaetz of paying them for sex. Leppard told Newsweek Wednesday that his clients were paid $10,000 over Venmo and Paypal.
One of Leppard's clients also allegedly witnessed Gaetz having sex with another woman who was then 17 years old by the pool area at a house party in Florida.
The then-17-year-old victim and one of Leppard's clients were friends from high school and are still friends, he said. Leppard's two clients allegedly met at one of Gaetz's parties in 2017. They moved out of Orlando together to "get away."
In February 2023, the Justice Department informed Gaetz that he would not face federal sex-trafficking charges over allegations that he was involved in recruiting women online for sex.
Emily Martin, the chief program officer at the National Women's Law Center, said Gaetz was "right to withdraw his name for consideration" but that the House Ethics Committee should still release the report into the allegations.
"From the start, Matt Gaetz was a profoundly unfit choice for attorney general. He was right to withdraw his name for consideration. It is clear Gaetz felt pressure to step down in the face of such damning and credible reports of his involvement in the sexual abuse and trafficking of a 17-year-old," Martin told Newsweek.
"Although Gaetz has read the writing on the wall and removed himself for consideration for the role of Attorney General, the House Ethics Committee must still do the right thing and release its report on its investigation. The nation deserves to learn the truth about this abuse of trust and power by an elected official, despite Gaetz's attempt to dodge the report's release by resigning from office last week."
Dawn Hawkins, the CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, told Newsweek, "We're glad to see that Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name for consideration for Attorney General, and we urge the Trump/Vance Administration to nominate someone for this role who has impeccable character and who is committed to fully enforce obscenity and sex trafficking laws. There is no shortage of qualified leaders with track records of integrity who can serve as Attorney General."
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