Texas Senator Ted Cruz said Matt Gaetz deserved a fair hearing after the former congressman withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's Attorney General.
"It was clear that there was meaningful resistance in the Senate. I think numerous senators had expressed that view," Cruz said in an exclusive interview with Newsweek.
Gaetz's decision comes after continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating last year that a DOJ investigation into sex-trafficking allegations involving underage girls concluded without any federal charges against him.
Newsweek reached out to Gaetz's and Trump's communication teams for comment.
While understanding Gaetz's decision, Cruz also expressed regret over the lack of a full Senate hearing, which he believes Gaetz deserved.
Cruz said: "My view was that he should have had a full and fair hearing. He obviously made the decision that the path did not look clear, and I respect that. I'm confident that President Trump will appoint an attorney general who will be up to the task of restoring integrity to the Department of Justice."
The abrupt withdrawal is a setback to Trump's push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration, but also a recognition of the resistance the Republican is already encountering from members of his own party to picks with checkered backgrounds.
On Thursday, Gaetz said he will be withdrawing 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."
Trump posted to Truth Social that he appreciates "the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz."
"I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General," Trump posted. "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. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!"
By stepping aside, Gaetz avoids what was shaping up to be a contentious confirmation battle that would have tested the limits of Senate Republicans' willingness to back Trump's Cabinet selections.
The controversy stems from allegations that Gaetz was involved in recruiting women online for sex, including a 17-year-old girl. Last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) informed Gaetz that he would not face federal sex-trafficking charges.
Two other women accused Gaetz of paying them for sex. Their attorney, Joel Leppard, told Newsweek on Wednesday that his clients received a total of $10,000 through Venmo and PayPal. Leppard added that his clients did not wish to publicly testify against Gaetz.
Gaetz has vehemently denied that he did anything improper and blames the accusations on a smear campaign.
For now, Gaetz's political future remains uncertain.
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