After recusing himself from the AG’s review, Gaetz says he won’t be returning to Congress

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, said Friday he has no plans to return to Congress after resigning to become President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general nominee. Gaetz withdrew from consideration Thursday because several Republican senators did not plan to vote to confirm his nomination.

His nomination was potentially headed for failure as senators raised concerns after the House Ethics Committee’s findings into alleged sexual misconduct by Gaetz were not made public. The House Ethics Committee could have made its findings public, but Gaetz ended up leaving the House days before the committee’s planned vote. After resigning from Congress, Speaker Mike Johnson said the panel’s report and findings should not be made public.

After Gaetz withdrew his nomination, there was speculation whether Gaetz would try to return to Congress since he was re-elected to the House earlier this month. Talking to Charlie Kirk on Friday, put an end to that speculation.

“I will still be in the fight, but it will be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” he said. “There are a number of fantastic Floridians who have stepped up to run for my seat.”

Gaetz said he has other goals in life after spending 16 years in elected office.

“I will fight for President Trump,” he said. “I’ll do whatever he asks, I always have. I think eight years is enough time in the United States Congress.”

Hours after Gaetz’s announcement, Trump said he would nominate former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the nomination.

Gaetz’s seat will be filled in a special election.