JUST IN: Matt Gaetz Resigns From Congress

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), the Republican firebrand from Florida, has announced his resignation from Congress, effective immediately. The announcement was made in a statement read aloud in the House today and followed President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Gaetz to serve as the next attorney general of the United States.

“I hereby resign as a United States representative for Florida’s first congressional district, defective immediately, and I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump administration of Attorney General,” the statement read.

Gaetz’s elevation to the prospective attorney general post marks a significant moment in the political trajectory of one of Congress’s most polarizing figures. Known for his combative style, loyalty to Trump, and staunch conservatism, Gaetz has been both a champion of the Republican base and a lightning rod for criticism from Democrats and moderate Republicans.

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Gaetz, 42, has been a prominent ally of Trump since joining Congress in 2017. He rose to national prominence during Trump’s first term, frequently defending the then-president against impeachment efforts and other controversies. His selection as attorney general signals Trump’s intention to surround himself with loyalists as he prepares to return to the White House.

Gaetz’s tenure in Congress has been anything but conventional. Representing a deeply conservative district in Florida’s panhandle, Gaetz has built his career on provocative rhetoric and unflinching partisanship. He was instrumental in ousting former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) earlier this year, a move that fractured the GOP caucus and delayed legislative business for weeks.

His critics have pointed to various controversies that have dogged him over the years, including a now-closed Justice Department investigation into allegations of sex trafficking. Gaetz has consistently denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crimes.

The most significant consequence of the resignation is the abrupt end to the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz. With Gaetz no longer serving as a congressman, the committee loses its authority to pursue the investigation, and its conclusions might remain undisclosed. A source knowledgeable about the situation told The Hill that the committee had planned a meeting for Friday to decide on the publication of the report concerning Gaetz.

“It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,” Trump announced on Wednesday. “Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”

With Gaetz stepping down, a special election will be held to fill his seat in Florida’s First Congressional District, a Republican stronghold that is expected to remain in GOP hands. Meanwhile, his nomination as attorney general sets the stage for what is likely to be a heated confirmation battle in the Senate.

Trump’s announcement highlighted a central theme of his 2024 campaign: reshaping federal institutions he says have been “weaponized” against conservatives. Gaetz’s nomination ties directly into Trump’s broader promises to overhaul the Department of Justice and its affiliated agencies.

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