Trump pick Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be US attorney general

Donald Trump ally Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration to be the next US attorney general.

Mr Gaetz, a controversial pick to be the country's top legal official, said his selection was "unfairly becoming a distraction" to the transition of Mr Trump's administration into the White House.

The Florida Republican had faced scrutiny over previous sex trafficking allegations which were investigated by the department he had been picked by the president-elect to lead.

He said in a post on the X social media platform: "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as attorney general. Trump's DOJ (Department of Justice) must be in place and ready on Day 1.

"I remain fully committed to seeing that Donald Trump is the most successful president in history. I will forever be honoured that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America."

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Mr Trump said in a post on his own social media site, Truth Social, that Mr Gaetz had a "wonderful future".

"I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General," he wrote.

"He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the administration, for which he has much respect."

Mr Gaetz previously faced a nearly three-year Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl, which ended in February 2023 without him facing any criminal charges.

He has always denied the allegations.

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He has also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.

The inquiry was dropped on Wednesday 13 November when Mr Gaetz left Congress - the only forum where the committee has jurisdiction.

The Senate ethics committee is deadlocked on whether their report can be released.

In the immediate wake of Mr Trump's selection of Mr Gaetz to lead the DOJ, a number of senators were sceptical that he would get enough votes to be confirmed by a majority in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Mr Gaetz's withdrawal is a blow to Mr Trump's push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that he could face resistance from members of his own party.

(c) Sky News 2024: Trump pick Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration to be US attorney general