Engulfed in scandal, Matt Gaetz throws in the towel. The former congressman withdraws from the race for Attorney General despite Donald Trump's support. The surprise announcement was made by X and, according to rumors, preceded new shocking revelations about him.
The former Fox anchor's staff had in fact been warned by CNN of the imminent publication of further details regarding the sex scandal that has involved him for weeks and, in particular, of a second sexual relationship with a minor. Cornered, the former congressman then decided to step back: "It is clear that my confirmation is becoming a distraction for the work of the Trump-Vance transition. There is no time to waste for a prolonged battle in Washington and that is why I am withdrawing my name from the race for Attorney General," he wrote on X. The president-elect thanked him for his "efforts" in trying to win confirmation in the Senate, an undertaking that immediately seemed prohibitive but in the face of which Trump had not given up, reiterating on several occasions his "100%" support for his ally.
For Republican senators, the withdrawal is a sigh of relief that avoids a tough battle in the upper chamber and with Trump. While behind the scenes, conservatives were against Gaetz, in public their tones were softer and more open so as not to antagonize the president-elect. "I think it was" an "appropriate" choice, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell commented hot on the heels of the withdrawal, aware that it eases pressure on the party and on Congress, already divided over the publication of the House Ethics Committee report on Gaetz.
A document that, according to rumors, collected the testimonies of the minor who had sex on two occasions with the former congressman, also involved in orgies and accused of drug use. His multiple paid relationships with various women were demonstrated by the FBI which, the New York Times reports, traced the movement of thousands of dollars. Before publicly announcing his decision, Gaetz informed the president-elect's transition team of his moves, opening a new problem in addition to that of the nomination of the Treasury secretary. Trump currently has no one to nominate as Attorney General, the department he considers the most important in the entire administration.
In fact, not only Gaetz but also Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth have been targeted by criticism. The former Democrat nominated for intelligence was harshly attacked by Nikki Haley, who accused her of being a "sympathizer of Russia" and other countries hostile to the United States. Hegseth, nominated to lead the Pentagon and accused of sexual assault, also has a difficult position. The police released the report on the incident that occurred in 2017, which revealed the victim's repeated refusal to have relations with Hegseth and the former Fox anchor's opposition to letting her leave her hotel room by blocking the door. In Congress with Vice President-elect JD Vance, Hegseth defended himself by reiterating that the case had been investigated but no charges had been brought against him. An unconvincing defense according to some senators, who are nevertheless ready to give him a chance after Gaetz's withdrawal.
(Online Union)
