In a significant setback for President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his nomination for U.S. Attorney General, citing concerns that controversy surrounding his candidacy was becoming a distraction to the incoming administration’s efforts.
The former Florida congressman’s withdrawal comes amid renewed scrutiny of sexual misconduct allegations, including claims investigated by the House Ethics Committee. His departure from consideration reopens the search for the nation’s top law enforcement position, a critical role in the incoming administration.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz stated on social media platform X. Trump responded supportively, noting, “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do.”
The withdrawal occurred as new details emerged about the ethics investigation, including testimony from witnesses and financial records that had been obtained by multiple news organizations. Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations against him, and a previous Justice Department investigation concluded without charges.
Several potential candidates have emerged as possible replacements, including:
- Todd Blanche, Trump’s personal lawyer and current deputy attorney general nominee
- Mark Paoletta, former legal counsel to Mike Pence
- Robert Giuffra, co-chair of Sullivan and Cromwell
- Judge Aileen Cannon
- Kash Patel, former Defense Department chief of staff
The attorney general position is considered particularly significant in Trump’s cabinet, as the role would oversee the Department of Justice. Several qualified candidates, including Senators Mike Lee and Eric Schmitt, have already indicated they are not interested in the position.
The development represents an early challenge for Trump’s transition team, which has made other notable nominations, including Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary, and Elon Musk to lead a government cost-cutting initiative.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) commended Gaetz’s decision to withdraw, stating, “He clearly put the country’s interests first. And I’m pleased that he did so.” The search for a new nominee is expected to begin immediately.
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victim’s dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victim’s vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Female Speaker Makes History As Irish Parliament Welcomes New Leader
Ireland's 35th Dáil (parliament) is set to reconvene Wednesday with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin returning as taoiseach (prime minister). The transition will see current leader Simon Harris of Fine Gael move to the role of tánaiste (deputy prime minister). Following November's election, Fianna Fáil emerged as the largest party with 48 seats and has formed a government through a coalition with Fine Gael (38 seats) and several independent regional TDs (members of parliament). Sinn Féin, despite winning 39 seats, remains in opposition after being ruled out as a coalition partner by both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael—a decision that Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald criticized as "bad practice." The new government formation comes after approximately five weeks of negotiations, with both Martin and Harris recently confirming a draft programme for government that received endorsement from their respective parties. […]
Trump Removes Historic Coast Guard Commander On First Day
Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch, has been removed from her position as Coast Guard Commandant within 24 hours of President Donald Trump taking office. The dismissal was first reported by Fox News and was confirmed through a statement to Coast Guard units obtained by The New York Times. The statement cited "leadership deficiencies, operational failures and inability to advance the strategic objectives of the U.S. Coast Guard" as reasons for her termination. It also mentioned her "excessive focus" on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies as a factor. The removal aligns with Trump's broader executive action issued after his inauguration, calling for federal agencies to end DEI initiatives, which he described as "illegal and immoral." In the executive order, Trump stated that "the public release of these plans demonstrated immense public waste and […]
Tech Giants Bezos, Zuckerberg, Pichai Attend Trump’s Inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural celebrations began with a notable gathering of technology industry leaders and influential figures at a Monday morning church service at St John's Church. The attendees included prominent tech executives Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Tim Cook of Apple, and Sundar Pichai of Google. Also present were media mogul Rupert Murdoch, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. These tech leaders had previously been vocal critics of Trump's first-term policies, particularly regarding climate change and immigration. At the Capitol rotunda, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, was observed among the attendees, taking time to admire the architectural details. Musk has invested significantly in Trump's campaign, contributing nearly $300 million, and has maintained close ties with the president-elect. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chou is anticipated to attend the inauguration, despite […]
Biden Pardons Family And Allies In Final Presidential Act
In his final moments as president, Joe Biden issued pre-emptive pardons to several family members, including his siblings James, Francis, Frank Biden, and Valerie Biden Owens, citing protection from politically motivated attacks. The last-minute decision followed earlier pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci and January 6 investigation committee members to prevent what Biden termed "unjustified politically motivated prosecutions." Biden emphasized these public servants' dedication to the nation. The move comes amid longstanding tension with Trump, who frequently clashed with Dr. Fauci during the pandemic and suggested action against those involved in the January 6 investigation. Trump had previously made unproven corruption allegations against the Bidens, though a 2023 House Republican investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. Biden extended pardons to his in-laws Sara Jones Biden and John Owens, adding to an earlier pardon for his son Hunter Biden, who faced sentencing in […]
Trump Swoops In To Save TikTok After Supreme Court Ban
A dramatic weekend for TikTok in the US began with a Supreme Court decision upholding a Congressional ban on the app, citing concerns over ByteDance's potential access to American user data. The ban briefly took effect Sunday, causing the app to go dark with users seeing a message about the enacted law. However, the situation quickly shifted when President-elect Trump intervened, promising an executive order to delay the ban's implementation. TikTok subsequently returned to service for existing users, though it remains unavailable for new downloads on US app stores. The app displayed a message thanking Trump for his efforts in restoring service. Trump announced plans to issue an executive order Monday to facilitate a deal requiring 50% US ownership of TikTok. While the Biden administration had chosen not to enforce the law, Trump's approach seeks a more definitive solution through […]
Border Camp Incident Unfolds During Mexican Government Operation
A confrontation occurred early Saturday at a migrant camp in northern Mexico's Chihuahua state when residents set fire to bedding materials during a government operation to clear the location. Approximately 250 Mexican officials, including National Guard military police equipped with riot gear, surrounded the encampment at midnight. Migrants responded by igniting mattresses and blankets in protest, with some families attempting to leave the area with their children and possessions, according to a Reuters witness at the scene. The fire was contained within an hour, and no injuries were reported. The camp, situated approximately 220 miles from Ciudad Juarez near the El Paso, Texas, border, housed around 150 migrants, predominantly Venezuelan families seeking entry to the United States. A migration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the operation's purpose was to transport migrants to Mexico's southern border for repatriation […]
Be the first to leave a comment