Matt Gaetz forced to pull out after sex scandal explodes

Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general on Thursday, saying his nomination—besieged by allegations that he had sex with minors at drug-fueled sex parties and then bragged about those encounters to fellow lawmakers on the House floor—was “becoming a distraction” for Donald Trump.

In a post on X, Gaetz wrote:

I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday.  I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many.  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.  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 must be in place and ready on Day 1.  

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

Gaetz’s announcement came minutes before CNN was set to run a story revealing that Gaetz had a threesome with a minor and a woman who was of age.