A floodgate of reactions from Senate Republicans opened Thursday after former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general.
Gaetz, who met with senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for consideration, wrote on X that the process for his confirmation was “unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.” His withdrawal came eight days after he was nominated on Nov. 13. Some GOP senators were disappointed by Gaetz’s decision while others expressed relief following the media drama, according to The Hill.
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…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
“I’m disappointed. Matt’s smart. He would change the way the DOJ has done it,” Florida Sen. Rick Scott said, according to The Hill.
“I hope that the president will pick somebody equally as tenacious and equally as committed to cleaning up the DOJ,” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul told the outlet following the announcement.
Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker called Gaetz’s withdrawal “a positive development,” while Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis said Gaetz chose the right path considering the “headwinds” he faced relating to Senate approval.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), incoming chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, says Matt Gaetz withdrawing his nomination to serve as AG is “a positive development.”
— Alex Bolton (@alexanderbolton) November 21, 2024
“He must have gotten some signals yesterday during conversations he was having with senators that this was going to be a distraction,” Lummis told The Hill. “Good on him to recognize that and be self-aware.” (RELATED: Democratic Sen. Fetterman Praises Some Of Trump’s ‘Serious, Qualified’ Cabinet Picks)
“These things always work out for the best. In this particular case, they made the right choice to withdraw the nomination,” South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said, adding that he would not disagree with the former representative’s view that his nomination was an impediment.
“It’s a good thing,” Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said to a CNN reporter.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune, soon to be Republican Senate Majority Leader, said he understood Gaetz’s choice, according to The Hill.
“It’s his call, it’s his decision. In the end, he’s got to do what’s in the best interest of him and his family, but I respect the decision,” Thune stated.
Vice President-elect JD Vance, the outgoing senator of Ohio, said he was “extremely grateful” for Gaetz’s efforts.
“I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process. He made his decision to withdraw entirely out of respect for President Trump’s administration. Matt is a patriot and I look forward to seeing what he does next,” Vance wrote on X.
I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process. He made his decision to withdraw entirely out of respect for President Trump’s administration. Matt is a patriot and I look forward to seeing what he does next. https://t.co/EfcFXXKRM2
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 21, 2024
Trump reacted to Gaetz’s withdraw with a post on Truth Social.
“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. 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!” the President-elect wrote.
Thank you President Trump! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/P8ey92elYH
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s pick for White House press secretary, posted Trump’s message on X. Gaetz thanked the President-elect in response.
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