Matt Gaetz resigns as Attorney General days before ethics Investigation report was expected.
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has resigned from Congress, effective immediately. This decision coincides with President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Gaetz as his attorney general. A special election will be held to fill Gaetz’s seat in western Florida.
The speaker noted that he had asked Gaetz about his decision to step down, and Gaetz referred to state law, which provides an eight-week period to identify and fill a vacant congressional seat.
“If we start the process now and calculate the timeline, it’s possible that the seat could be filled by Jan. 3, just in time for the new Congress to take their oath of office,” Johnson explained.
What made Matt Gaetz resign from congress just before the House Ethics Committee was set to hold an important meeting on its investigation into the Florida congressman.
His resignation effectively ends an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation, which had expanded in June to consider additional allegations. The committee had been reviewing claims that Gaetz was involved in sexual misconduct, drug use, acceptance of “improper gifts,” and possible favoritism. Gaetz has denied all accusations.
Gaetz’s resignation has a significant impact, as it effectively halts the House Ethics Committee’s investigation, which was near completion. Since Gaetz is no longer in Congress, the committee loses its authority to proceed, meaning its findings may remain unpublished—a benefit for Gaetz as he prepares for potential scrutiny in the Senate.
“Once a member is no longer in Congress, Ethics has no jurisdiction,” explained House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) after Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general. He clarified that if Gaetz assumes the role, the current Ethics investigation would end.
The committee had planned to meet on Friday to vote on releasing its report, according to a source. Despite Gaetz’s departure, the committee could still opt to publish the report, though this is uncommon. A similar case occurred in 1987, when the committee released a report on former Rep. William Boner (D-Tenn.) post-resignation.
The House Ethics Committee was investigating allegations against Gaetz, including claims of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. This congressional investigation began in 2021, soon after reports indicated that the Department of Justice (DOJ) was examining whether Gaetz had been involved in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
Gaetz has firmly denied any allegations of misconduct, and the Department of Justice chose not to charge him. In September, Gaetz announced he would “no longer voluntarily participate” in what he called the Ethics Committee’s “nosy” investigation. He also refused to comply with a subpoena from the committee, criticizing it for reportedly asking him to provide a list of adult women he had been involved with over the past seven years.
Matt Gaetz’s resignation from Congress marked the end of an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and other claims. His departure, coinciding with his appointment as Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General, has halted the probe, as the Ethics Committee no longer has jurisdiction over him.
Despite the serious nature of the accusations, the Department of Justice did not pursue charges against him. Gaetz has vehemently denied the allegations and his resignation has effectively ended the investigation, leaving his record largely unchallenged in Congress. As Gaetz moves forward with his political career, including his role in the Trump administration, the implications of this case will likely continue to surface, with critics questioning his suitability for leadership positions. The investigation’s closure and the broader controversy around Gaetz’s actions reflect ongoing debates about accountability and integrity within U.S. politics.
Whats next for Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz’s political future is unfolding with several potential directions. Currently, Gaetz is focused on securing his re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he appears to be on track for a dominant victory in the upcoming Republican primary.
Despite ongoing investigations, including one by the House Ethics Committee and past controversies, Gaetz is confident in his connection to his constituents in northwest Florida.
Additionally, Gaetz has indicated that he could potentially run for Florida Governor in the future if Governor Ron DeSantis’s term limit comes into play
Although he has expressed no immediate plans for this, his aggressive campaigning style and the political landscape in Florida suggest that a gubernatorial run could be a possibility in the coming years.
Given his close ties to former President Donald Trump, it remains likely that Gaetz will continue to be a significant player within the Republican Party. However, his involvement in future presidential campaigns, or a run for governor, may depend on how the political dynamics and investigations unfold in the next few years.