Gaetz withdraws as attorney general nominee | 21 Nov 2024 | Matt Gaetz, the former Florida representative and Trump nominee for attorney general, on Thursday announced that he is withdrawing as Trump's pick for the top prosecutor, citing what he described as the "distraction" his nomination had caused due to a swirl of allegations of improper sexual relationships. "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," Gaetz said. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1."