President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, has resigned from Congress amidst ongoing scrutiny and investigations over sexual misconduct allegations. Gaetz, a staunch Trump defender, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, including the sex trafficking allegations that were part of a probe by the Justice Department.
Trump’s selection of Gaetz to lead the Justice Department has sent shockwaves through House Republicans, with doubts about his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. Gaetz has vowed to root out “systemic corruption” at the Justice Department and return it to its mission of fighting crime and upholding democracy.
The investigations into Gaetz include allegations of sex trafficking, sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and obstruction of government investigations. A federal sex trafficking investigation involving Gaetz and his onetime political ally Joel Greenberg led to Greenberg’s guilty plea in 2021, while Gaetz has remained under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee.
Despite allies defending him, questions remain about Gaetz’s ability to lead the Justice Department and whether he can withstand the confirmation process. While Gaetz’s resignation has brought an end to the House Ethics Committee’s probe into his conduct, it remains to be seen if his nomination will move forward and if he will be able to take on the role of attorney general.
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