Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said he is not planning on returning to his seat in the House of Representatives next year, clearing up some speculation about his future without answering all the questions.
President-elect Donald Trump nominated him for attorney general last week, but he withdrew his name from consideration on Thursday. Without a job in the Trump administration, it was not clear if Gaetz was going to try to remain in government or if he had other plans. Roughly 24 hours later, the former congressman said he had no plans of walking back into the House.
“I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told Charlie Kirk on a podcast. “There are a number of fantastic Floridians who stepped up to run for my seat. … Eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
Gaetz won reelection in 2024 but will give up his seat to make way for a special election in an area that is safely Republican. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s gonna be from a new perch,” Gaetz said. “… I’ve got some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.
“I’m going to be fighting for President Trump. I’m going to be doing whatever he asks of me.”
Sexual misconduct allegations plagued Gaetz’s attorney general nomination, with rumors that he would not have the votes to be confirmed in the Senate. He would have undergone even more intense scrutiny in his confirmation hearings than the public fights that have taken place online and on TV over the last week.
Republicans also managed to stifle a House Ethics Committee report on the allegations against Gaetz that would have likely been even more damaging.
Rather than continuing to slog through a bitter confirmation process, Gaetz withdrew from consideration Thursday, saying there is “no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.” Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to the U.S. attorney general post later that day.
Gaetz approved of the choice, remarking that she is “a proven litigator, an inspiring leader and a champion for all Americans.”
The former Florida congressman hinted at his next career turn Thursday in a post on X.
“Stock trading is such a huge part of congress,” he said. “It shouldn’t be. I can’t wait to tell all these stories of corruption, treason and betrayal. Coming soon.”
