Ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz Friday dominated out a potential return to Congress after dropping his bid to change into President-elect Trump’s legal professional basic.
The previous Florida lawmaker informed a right-wing podcast that he wouldn’t attempt to stroll again his resignation from the deep-red seat that he just lately gained in a reelection landslide regardless of the implosion of his nomination amid sex-and-drug accusations.
“I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch but I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz informed podcast host Charlie Kirk on Actual America’s Voice.
Gaetz, 42, praised the Republicans jostling for an opportunity to take his spot on Capitol Hill and known as it “a pretty poetic time to allow that great new blood to come in.”
The four-term Republican mentioned he has “other goals in life,” with out elaborating.
“I’m going to be fighting for President Trump,” Gaetz mentioned. “I’m going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
Matt Gaetz. (JIM WATSON/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
Gaetz, one in all Trump’s most vocal supporters, resigned from Congress final week on the similar day as Trump nominated him to be legal professional basic. Many interpreted the bizarre transfer as a ploy to keep away from the deliberate launch of a damning Home Ethics Committee report into drug and intercourse abuse allegations.
No less than two younger girls informed the panel they have been paid by Gaetz for intercourse at drug-fueled events in Florida and through trip jaunts. One was solely 17 and a highschool scholar on the time.
He pulled the plug on his bid as extra lurid allegations surfaced and GOP senators informed him he couldn’t win affirmation. It’s unclear whether or not the report will ever be launched now that he’s not a member of Congress and not vying to be legal professional basic.
Trump shortly moved to appoint former Florida Legal professional Common Pam Bondi in his place, a decide that drew favorable responses from GOP lawmakers and analysts.
Gaetz may make a run for governor of the Sunshine State in 2026 when Gov. Ron DeSantis might be barred by time period limits from working once more.
A few of Gaetz’s supporters have talked about him as a potential candidate to be appointed to fill the soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat now held by Marco Rubio, who has been nominated for Secretary of State.
DeSantis, who will make that decide, has saved quiet about who may be on his quick record.
Initially Printed: November 22, 2024 at 1:23 PM EST