Matt Gaetz Abruptly Resigns From Congress After Trump Picks Him ...

12 hours ago

Forbes

Topline

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., issued his resignation from Congress on Wednesday “effective immediately,” according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., doing so after President-elect Donald Trump tapped him as the next attorney general.

Gaetz was tapped as attorney general Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Getty Images Key Facts

Johnson said Gaetz’s resignation “caught us by surprise a little bit.”

Johnson noted the vacant seat could be filled as soon as Jan. 3, telling reporters he will speak with Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., on Thursday morning about appointing a new Congress member.

Trump nominated Gaetz as attorney general earlier Wednesday, stunning Republican Congress members, some of whom were “shocked” at the pick and believed it was not “a serious nomination for the attorney general.”

Gaetz will need to be confirmed by the incoming GOP-majority Senate, where he faces a mix of opposition and support.

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What Will Happen To The House Ethics Committee’s Investigation Into Matt Gaetz?

Gaetz, who was investigated by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, will no longer be subject to the probe following his resignation. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., confirmed to multiple outlets the committee has no jurisdiction over a member of Congress once that member leaves.

Surprising Fact

The House Ethics Committee was just two days away from voting on the release of a “highly damaging” report about its probe into Gaetz, according to Punchbowl News, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the probe.

Key Background

Gaetz will need a Senate majority vote to become attorney general, though the opposition he faces in the chamber could complicate matters. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, told reporters Wednesday she is certain Gaetz will be questioned during his confirmation hearing about the ethics committee probe, which also investigated allegations he accepted improper gifts and gave special privileges to friends. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing, and the Justice Department declined to bring criminal charges against him in an investigation that closed last year. However, Gaetz has staunch supporters in the Senate such as Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who said “we're gonna try to get [GOP senators] out of the Senate” if they get in the way of Gaetz’s nomination. The Senate will soon be made up of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats.