Matt Gaetz Says He'll Fight for Trump 'from a New Perch' After Quitting Congress for Failed AG Bid

Mar. 15, 2025

Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump.Photo:Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Joe Raedle/Getty

Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Joe Raedle/Getty

Former attorney general nomineeMatt Gaetzsaid that he is serious about being done with Congress, though he is ready to do “whatever” President-electDonald Trumpmight ask of him next.

On Friday, Nov. 22, therecently resigned Florida congressmanshared in an interview with right-wing personalityCharlie Kirkthat he has “other goals in life” he’s looking to pursue and does not intend to return to the House after withdrawinghis attorney general nominationamid a sex-for-hire scandal on Nov. 21.

“I’m still gonna be in the fight, but its gonna be from a new perch,” Gaetz, 42, said. “I did not intend to join the [upcoming] 119th congress. There are a number of fantastic Floridians who stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, their public service. I’m actually excited to see Northwest Florida go to new heights and have great representation.”

Matt Gaetz at the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2024.Leon Neal/Getty

Leon Neal/Getty

Gaetz — who has denied long-running allegations related to sex trafficking, sexual misconduct with minors and illicit drug use — added that even if he won’t be the next attorney general, he still plans to be “fighting for President Trump” and doing “whatever he asks of me as I always have,” calling his eight years in Congress “probably enough time.”

Speaking with Kirk on Friday, Gaetz also commendedformer Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Trump nominated for attorney general hours after Gaetz withdrew his nomination. He called Trump’s second choice a “phenomenal attorney general” as he praised her “legal acumen.”

“Even though the path will take me to a different station in life and a different place to fight for our agenda, and President Trump, we’ve got a great person in place,” he said.

Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz in November 2019.SMG/Shutterstock

SMG/Shutterstock

Gaetz announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday that he was withdrawing his nomination after “unfairly becoming a distraction” to the White House transition of Trump and Vice President-electJ.D. Vance.

The politician wrote that he was “fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,” while explaining that he wouldn’t be prepared to take on the responsibilities so soon given his scandal.

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“For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore,” Trump said in announcing Bondi’s nomination on Nov. 21.

source: people.com