Matt Gaetz, the former Florida representative and President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, has announced his withdrawal as Trump's pick for the top prosecutor. This decision comes after allegations surfaced of him purportedly paying underage women for sex, causing a distraction to the administration.
Following Gaetz's withdrawal, potential names have been floated to head the Department of Justice next. One of the names in consideration is Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Bailey, an Army veteran with degrees from the University of Missouri, was appointed as the state's top prosecutor in 2022 by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. Since assuming office, Bailey has been involved in numerous lawsuits against the Biden administration and has championed conservative issues.
Another contender for the position is Republican Sen. Mike Lee from Utah. Despite initially expressing that he was not aiming for the role, Lee is now being considered as a potential candidate. As a high-ranking Republican in the Senate, Lee could face a relatively smooth path to confirmation compared to other controversial figures.
Trump, in response to Gaetz's withdrawal, expressed appreciation for Gaetz's efforts in seeking approval for the Attorney General position. Trump acknowledged Gaetz's decision not to be a distraction and wished him success in his future endeavors.
Gaetz's resignation from the nomination comes after a months-long investigation by the House Ethics Committee and his subsequent resignation from the current congressional session. The Trump transition team has been reached out to for comment on the recent developments.
