Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration to serve as attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump, a move that has sparked backlash among some conservatives online.
Last week, Trump announced Gaetz's nomination to lead the Justice Department (DOJ), and since then has drawn scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans. Up until last Wednesday, Gaetz served as Florida's 1st congressional district representative in the U.S. House, but upon his attorney general nomination, he resigned from his House position.
Gaetz's nomination raised eyebrows as he was the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations that he "engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use" and was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. He has denied any wrongdoing.
In addition, some questioned Gaetz's ability to lead the Justice Department, citing his limited legal experience and the fact that the department previously investigated him.
Gaetz, like the other recent nominees, needed Senate approval to be confirmed in the role. Confirmation hearings take place ahead of a Senate vote.
On Thursday, Gaetz wrote on X, formerly Twitter, he met with Senators yesterday and "appreciate their thoughtful feedback," noting 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 appreciates "the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz."
Meanwhile, online, some conservatives expressed frustration with Gaetz's withdrawal, wanting him to have become the attorney general.
Journalist Nick Sortor said that Gaetz's withdrawal is "such a bummer. You're a good man."
Kylie Jane Kremer, executive director of Women for America First, responded to Gaetz's post, "WTF?! We want YOU, Matt Gaetz to lead the DOJ! We gave DJT a mandate and he chose you!"
Political commentator and Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporter Joseph Pino, who is followed by one of Trump's X accounts, also replied to Gaetz's post, writing, "We didn't win in a landslide to allow a handful of elitist Senators get in our way. Full steam ahead."
Another user, Matthew Zimmerman, wrote, "Why would you back out of the deal when you were going after the swamp and the deep state the entire time. I mean the people are all excited for it. I won't let you withdraw your name."
In a plea for Gaetz to reconsider his removal, Zimmerman continued, "YOUR NAME WAS NOT A DISTRACTION. WE THE PEOPLE WANT YOU AS ATTORNEY GENERAL. DONT LET ANYBODY TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY. WE WANT CORRUPTED OFFICIALS IN JAIL FOR WHAT THEY TO THE PEOPLE AND OUR PRESIDENT TRUMP."
Libertarian Politician Angela McArdle said Gaetz's withdrawal is a "huge bummer!" adding that she hopes to become a senior official in the AG's office.
Other users called the move "ridiculous," "nonsense," and a "shame." Some posted that they wanted Gaetz to be a "fighter" and stand up to the "swamp."
It is rare for a presidential Cabinet nominee to be blocked by the Senate, especially when the same party controls both the White House and the Senate. In U.S. history, only nine nominees have been blocked, and only once when the presidency and Senate were controlled by the same party.
More commonly, nominees facing controversy or lacking bipartisan support are withdrawn from consideration before confirmation hearings rather than being blocked outright.
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