Could Matt Gaetz return to Congress after his failed bid for attorney general?
Matt Gaetz shocked Washington on Thursday with his own announcement was stepping down as Donald Trump’s attorney general, as the recently resigned Florida congressman’s confirmation bid faced serious questions amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Gaetz said in a statement Thursday on X that his nomination has become an “unnecessarily hedged argument in Washington.”
“I am fully committed to seeing that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,” he said he wrote. “I will forever be honored that President Trump appointed me to lead the Department of Justice and I am confident that he will save America.”
The decision may remove one big question mark hanging over Gaetz — whether he can be confirmed in the Senate — but it has created a host of other uncertainties. That is, can he, and can he return to Congress?
When Gaetz resigned last week, he made it clear that he was resigning from the current, 118th Congress, while announcing that he had no intention of taking the seat in January 119, despite having just won re-election. at the beginning of this month.
If Gaetz decides he wants to return to Congress, House rules may prevent him from retaking his seat, and instead he may have to run in a special election in Florida, as the US Constitution requires special elections to fill House vacancies.
Gaetz may face a special election to return to Congress (AFP via Getty Images)
Somehow, if Gaetz returns to Congress, a cloud of suspicion will hang over the Florida lawmaker.
The Republican left Congress two days before the House Ethics Committee’s explosive report on him was released, in which a witness reportedly said Gaetz paid him for sex. Gaetz has denied the allegations in the ethics committee’s investigation, as well as those related to the Justice Department’s sex-trafficking investigation into Gaetz and his associates. The DOJ has not charged Gaetz with any crimes.
After the resignation, the ethics panel’s powers expire, and House members continue to debate whether to release their findings.
If Gaetz returns to the House, the ethics investigation will regain control of its powers, potentially paving the way for those findings to be made public again.
Neither the Trump administration nor Gaetz have publicly said what future plans may be in store for the Florida Republican, though Gaetz could still serve as a non-cabinet adviser to the Trump administration without going through the full Senate confirmation process.
“I really appreciate Matt Gaetz’s recent efforts to seek approval to become Attorney General. He was very efficient but, at the same time, he did not want to be a distraction to the Administration, which he has great respect for,” Trump said in a statement today. Matt has an amazing future, and I look forward to seeing all the great things he will do!”
