Here’s what happened.
Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has submitted his resignation from Congress “effective immediately,” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced on Wednesday. The unexpected resignation comes on the same day that President-elect Trump named Gaetz as his pick for Attorney General in his upcoming administration.
House Speaker Johnson expressed surprise at the timing of Gaetz’s decision but emphasized that it would allow for a swift replacement in the Florida 1st District seat, which is now vacant. Johnson hopes that Governor Ron DeSantis will be able to call a special election to fill the seat by January 3, the start of the new Congress.
Gaetz’s resignation brings an abrupt end to a two-year investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which had been examining allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and other misconduct involving the Florida Republican. The committee was reportedly set to vote on whether to release a report detailing these allegations, but with Gaetz’s resignation, the probe will likely be closed.
While the allegations against Gaetz have been the subject of media attention for years, he has strongly denied any wrongdoing. His office has not yet responded to requests for comment on the resignation.
Johnson indicated that Gaetz’s decision to resign was motivated by a desire to avoid prolonged absences that could disrupt the Republican agenda in the House. “You can’t have too many absences,” Johnson explained. “By resigning today, it starts the clock on the special election, which gives us the chance to fill the seat quickly.”
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Gaetz continues to have strong support from Trump, who praised him as a “deeply gifted” and “tenacious” attorney. Trump lauded Gaetz for his focus on reforming the Department of Justice, particularly in efforts to address the “weaponization” of government. Trump emphasized that Gaetz would be a key figure in dismantling what he described as a “weaponized” justice system and restoring Americans’ faith in the legal system.
The announcement of Gaetz’s resignation and his new role in a potential Trump administration is expected to have significant ripple effects in Congress. Some GOP members expressed doubts about Gaetz’s confirmation in the Senate, particularly given his contentious tenure in the House and his role in leading the effort to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023. However, with Trump’s backing, Gaetz remains a key figure in the Republican Party’s future.