In a significant setback for President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his nomination for U.S. Attorney General, citing concerns that controversy surrounding his candidacy was becoming a distraction to the incoming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
Robert Prevost’s Unexpected Path to the Papacy
Tonight, from the Vatican, a stunning development that will reverberate across the Catholic world. The College of Cardinals, in a move that has surprised many, has reportedly chosen Robert Prevost as the successor to the papacy. A figure perhaps less known on the global stage than some of the speculated frontrunners, Robert Prevost's ascent marks a potentially significant turning point for the Church. Robert Prevost, an American prelate who has been serving as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a crucial Vatican department responsible for recommending candidates for bishoprics worldwide, is now poised to take on the monumental task of leading over a billion Catholics. His background, notably his long service as a missionary in Latin America, particularly in Peru, offers a compelling narrative of a life dedicated to the pastoral needs of the faithful in the developing world. […]
Civilian Lives Lost Amidst India-Pakistan Retaliation
Tonight, from the volatile Line of Control that divides India and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, we are receiving deeply concerning reports of civilian casualties following a dangerous escalation of tensions. This after Pakistan's response to India's earlier air strikes manifested in cross-border shelling, leaving a trail of destruction and loss in its wake. Consider the human cost. Buava Singh, a resident of the Poonch district on the Indian side, recounted a devastating scene. A mortar shell, he says, ripped through his niece Ruby Kaur's home in the dead of night. She had simply woken to prepare tea for her ailing husband when tragedy struck. The shrapnel, Singh described, caused fatal head wounds. Ruby Kaur is now dead, and her daughter gravely injured. Adding to the vulnerability, Singh stated the absence of community bunkers in the area, forcing civilians to seek the fragile […]
Inter vs. Barcelona Delivers a Champions League Semi-Final for the Ages
Wow. Just wow. If you missed the Champions League semi-final between Inter and Barcelona, what were you even doing? Because what we just witnessed here in the Inter vs. Barcelona match, folks, was not just a game of football. It was an experience. A three-and-a-half-hour odyssey, punctuated by a staggering 13 goals, a trio of substitute stampedes onto the pitch, and then, almost poetically, as if the heavens themselves were moved by the sheer drama, the rain began to fall. It felt like a cleansing, a baptism after two sides had poured every single ounce of themselves onto that hallowed San Siro turf. We were in a realm beyond strategy boards and tactical formations, a place where pure will and heart collided. This wasn't your typical Champions League semi-final; it was an elongated scream of passion, the kind of spectacle […]
Northampton Shocks Leinster to Reach Champions Cup Final
Well, tonight in Dublin, at the hallowed RDS Arena, we witnessed a seismic shift in the landscape of European rugby. A script no one truly predicted unfolded as Northampton Saints, against all expectations, delivered a jaw-dropping 37-34 defeat to the mighty Leinster, punching their ticket to the Investec Champions Cup final. Consider this: Leinster, the perennial contenders, the standard-bearers of defensive prowess in this competition, had conceded a mere seven tries en route to this semi-final. Seven. Tonight, the Saints, with a relentless attacking fury, breached that seemingly impenetrable wall five times. Five tries, including a hat-trick of blistering scores from the electrifying Tommy Freeman. This was not just a victory; it was a drama of epic proportions. Ten tries were scored in a breathless encounter, a seesaw battle that kept us on the edge of our seats until the […]
Osimhen Eyes New Scoring Landmark as Galatasaray Battles Sivasspor
Tonight in Istanbul, under the floodlights of Rams Park, Victor Osimhen, the undeniable engine of Galatasaray's Super Lig title aspirations, stands on the precipice of a significant personal achievement. The Nigerian international, a force of nature at 26 years old, currently leads the league's scoring charts with a formidable 22 goals, a testament to his predatory instincts in front of the net. He holds a slender two-goal advantage over Istanbul Baลakลehir's Krzysztof Piatek. While the collective glory of a Super Lig triumph undoubtedly fuels Osimhen, the heart of a striker beats with the rhythm of individual milestones. Tonight's encounter against Sivasspor offers him a golden opportunity to not only widen the gap on his nearest rival but also to etch his name further into the annals of his own impressive career. Consider this: Osimhen has already tallied a staggering 31 […]
UFC Legend Mark Kerr’s Dramatic Life Story Comes to Screen with Dwayne Johnson in Lead Role
UFC pioneer Mark Kerr's tumultuous journey through the early days of mixed martial arts is set to captivate audiences in the upcoming biopic "The Smashing Machine," featuring a transformed Dwayne Johnson in what many are calling his most dramatic role to date. Kerr, now 56, earned his intimidating nickname "The Smashing Machine" through his devastating fighting style during MMA's formative years, when fighters often competed multiple times in a single night. The Ohio native's remarkable career included four first-round stoppage wins at UFC 14 and UFC 15 in 1997, with his longest bout lasting just 133 seconds. However, the film delves beyond Kerr's octagon dominance to explore his harrowing struggle with painkiller addiction, which culminated in a life-threatening overdose in 1999. The biopic draws inspiration from the acclaimed 2002 HBO documentary of the same name that chronicled Kerr's rise, fall, […]
Related
Trump Says Gaza Deal Could Happen Next Week After Hamas Response
Hamas has delivered what it calls a "positive response" to mediators regarding the latest US proposal for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement. The Palestinian armed group announced Friday night that it was "seriously ready to enter immediately into a round of negotiations" but did not confirm acceptance of the specific terms. A senior Palestinian official informed the BBC that Hamas requested several modifications, including ending a US-backed aid distribution system and obtaining US guarantees that warfare would not resume if negotiations failed. Israel's government has not issued a statement. President Donald Trump, who said he had not been briefed on the details, described Hamas's positive response as "good" and told reporters aboard Air Force One that "there could be a Gaza deal next week." The timing appears significant as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit […]
Eight Men Face Deportation to War-Torn South Sudan After Court Battle Fails
Eight men in U.S. detention have lost their final legal challenge to avoid deportation to South Sudan, a country facing ongoing human rights concerns. On Friday, Judge Brian Murphy of Boston denied the last-minute appeal following extensive legal activity throughout the day. The men have been held at a U.S. military base in Djibouti since late May, when courts halted an earlier deportation flight to South Sudan. The U.S. Supreme Court has twice ruled that the Trump administration could deport the men to countries outside their homelands, with its latest decision issued Thursday. The appeal, filed that night, argued that repeated deportation attempts to South Sudan were "impermissibly punitive," citing the U.S. Constitution's prohibition of "cruel and unusual punishment." The U.S. State Department advises American citizens to avoid South Sudan due to ongoing armed conflict and has previously accused the […]
Trump Promises Ukraine Air Defense Help After Disappointing Putin Call
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced he and US President Donald Trump agreed to collaborate on strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities during a phone conversation Friday. The two leaders had a "very important and fruitful conversation," Zelenskyy stated, adding they "spoke about opportunities in air defence and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of our skies." According to Axios, citing an unidentified Ukrainian official and a source familiar with the call, Trump expressed willingness to help Ukraine with air defense following escalating Russian attacks. Zelenskyy said the discussion included joint defense production, purchases, and investments. He emphasized Ukraine's readiness for "direct projects with the United States," particularly regarding drones and related technologies, calling such cooperation "critically important for security." The conversation occurred one day after Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the US president described as […]
Trump Signs Massive Bill That Could Change Everything For Millions Of Americans
President Donald Trump signed his major policy legislation into law Friday afternoon, one day after Congress narrowly approved the controversial measure. The White House signing ceremony, held during July 4th celebrations, implements significant portions of Trump's agenda including tax reductions, defense spending increases, and immigration enforcement measures. Trump celebrated the achievement at an Iowa rally Thursday night, promising supporters it would drive economic growth. However, he faces the challenge of convincing skeptical Americans, as polling indicates widespread disapproval of the legislation. Several Republicans opposed the bill due to concerns about rising national debt, while Democrats argued it favors wealthy Americans at the expense of lower-income citizens. The 870-page legislation includes several key provisions: extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts from his first presidency, significant reductions to Medicaid spending for low-income and disabled Americans, new tax exemptions for tipped income, overtime pay, […]
Trump Reveals Massive New Tariff Rates That Will Hit Global Trade
The US government will begin sending letters to countries detailing higher tariff rates that take effect on August 1st, President Donald Trump announced Thursday. Between 10 to 12 letters will be sent Friday, with additional notifications following over the coming days, Trump told reporters. The new import duties will range from "60% or 70% tariffs to 10 to 20% tariffs," with the upper limit exceeding previously outlined rates. Trump has established a July 9th deadline for negotiations over import tax rates as countries work to secure agreements. He previously indicated a baseline tariff of 10% on many economies with a maximum of 50%. The president did not specify which countries' goods would face the US taxes or whether rates would apply only to certain products. "My inclination is to send a letter out and say what tariff they're going to […]
House Republicans Split Over Trump Tax Bill Ahead Of July 4 Deadline
Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives face a critical standoff over President Donald Trump's comprehensive tax and spending legislation, with several party members refusing to support the bill that has unanimous Democratic opposition. House debate continues following the bill's passage through its final procedural hurdle early Thursday morning in Washington, D.C. The final vote is anticipated within hours. The impasse surrounding the Trump administration's primary domestic policy initiative, known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," extended into Thursday's early hours as Republican leadership worked intensively to convince holdouts ahead of the Friday, July 4 deadline. Trump criticized the dissenting Republicans on social media platforms. "For Republicans, this should be an easy yes vote. Ridiculous!" Trump posted on Truth Social. He added, "Largest Tax Cuts in History and a Booming Economy vs. Biggest Tax Increase in History, and a […]
Be the first to leave a comment