Matt Gaetz withdrawing as Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General set up immediate speculation about his next move.
Gaetz didn’t wait long to clue conservatives in about his plans for the future.
And Matt Gaetz made this bombshell announcement about returning to Congress.
Gaetz’s first interview post withdrawal
Matt Gaetz granted his first interview after removing his name from consideration as Donald Trump’s Attorney General to pro-Trump host Charlie Kirk.
The big question hovering over Gaetz was if he would return for the 119th Congress.
Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump picked him as his nominee for Attorney General.
But that resignation only applied to the 118th Congress that Gaetz currently served in.
Gaetz won re-election on November 5.
Technically, Gaetz could get sworn in as part of the 119th Congress on January 3.
Gaetz put that speculation to rest in his interview with Charlie Kirk, saying he wouldn’t be returning to Congress on January 3, 2025.
“I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz stated. “There are a number of fantastic Floridians who’ve stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, with their public service. And I’m actually excited to see northwest Florida go to new heights and have great representation.”
Gaetz told Kirk trying to win confirmation and put together a staff at the Justice Department became impossible in light of the fact that Senate RINOs just wouldn’t vote for him because he spent eight years in Congress calling them out for all the times they betrayed the conservative base.
“Charlie, And you got a front-row seat to this. I had a full-time job explaining to senators that maybe a tweet I sent about them was rash and not reflective of how I would serve as attorney general. And at the same time, I was having to build out the Department of Justice with the right human talent, the right policy infrastructure. And Pam Bondi’s confirmation won’t have some of the sharp edges that I would have,” Gaetz added.
Four establishment RINOs were dead set against voting for Gaetz.
Markwayne Mullin, Mitch McConnell, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins all made it clear they had no intention of voting for Gaetz, and it would be impossible to change their minds.
What could be next for Gaetz
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also won’t be appointing Gaetz to fill the Senate seat vacated by Marco Rubio.
Trump could appoint Gaetz to a senior counselor to the President position in the White House.
Gaetz could even jump into the world of podcasting.
Both would likely set up Gaetz for the course of action he always intended to pursue anyway – and that is running for Governor of Florida in 2026.
Gaetz would likely do so with a Trump endorsement and Trump’s fond sendoff for Gaetz after he withdrew his nomination as Attorney General hinted at.
“I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Trump posted.
Related posts:
Matt Gaetz had one phone call with Donald Trump that changed everything
Elon Musk told Lara Trump she needs to make this difficult life decision
Geraldo Rivera called Matt Gaetz one name that will make you sick to your stomach
