In response to ongoing federal sex trafficking studies that raised questions about his suitability for the position, former US member Matt Gaetz announced on Thursday that he would withdraw his name from consideration for the position of president-elect Donald Trump’s solicitor general. Gaetz claimed that the crucial work of the Trump/Vance transition was getting in the way of his prospective confirmation.
” I had superb discussions with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their attentive suggestions and the overwhelming support of many people. Although the speed was solid, it is obvious that my validation was badly stifling the crucial work of the Trump/Vance Transition. I’ll be resigning from consideration for the position of Attorney General because it is time wasted on a further drawn-out Washington fight, Gaetz said on social media platform X.
However, this is n’t the first time Gaetz has faced controversy. Gaetz has often made headlines, from his conflicts with White House chief Kevin McCarthy to his invitation to an internet trolls to Trump’s state of the union address. Here are some of his most renowned disputes:
When Matt made an online threat to attend Trump’s state of the union address.
One of Gaetz’s first controversial moments came in 2018 when he invited Charles C Johnson, a famous internet trolls, to enter Trump’s initial state of the union address. Johnson” showed up at my company,” Gaetz explained to The Daily Beast. Despite backlash, Gaetz defended Johnson—who had previously questioned the death toll of 6 million Jews during the Holocaust—telling Fox Business that Johnson was” not a Holocaust denier” and” not a white supremacist”.
Michael Cohen’s individual assault has caused backlash.
Gaetz stoked deeply on X on the day of Michael Cohen‘s evidence to the House Oversight Committee in February 2019.
” Would your family &, father-in-law understand about your girls? Even evening would be a great time for that chat”, Gaetz tweeted. ” I wonder if she’ll be honest when you’re in captivity. She’s about to discover a lot”.
House Democrats reacted in kind, so Gaetz removed the post and issued a unique apology.
” While it is important to make environment around the testimony of frauds like Michael Cohen, it was NOT my intention to threaten, as some believe I did”, Gaetz wrote, referencing then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s censure of his remarks. I should have chosen terms that more accurately reflect my purpose when I deleted the tweet andamp. I’m sad”.
Liberals demanded an exploration into the incident’s ethics. The House Ethics Committee criticized Gaetz for his actions because he did not “reflect competently upon the House of Representatives,” even though it afterward found him guilty of crime. The Florida Bar, which also reviewed the subject, reached a comparable finish, clearing Gaetz while condemning his steps.
Sex-trafficking complaints against Gaetz
The US fairness office opened an investigation into allegations that Gaetz and a 17-year-old woman were involved in sex-trafficking in the Trump administration’s last months. The research, which lasted nearly three years, sought to determine whether Gaetz had paid for the girl’s journey in contravention of sex trafficking regulations, among other claims.
Gaetz’s coworkers claim that the representative boasted about his physical encounters and also showed off naked photos of women.
But, Gaetz denied all claims of wrongdoing. His business claimed that lawyers had informed him that he would not face charges in 2023.
When Gaetz’s ‘ Wingman’ was sentenced to 11 ages
A federal judge in Florida in 2022 sentenced Joel Greenberg, a convicted conman who actively participated in the justice agency’s sex-trafficking research into Gaetz, to 11 years in prison. Gaetz had referred to Greenberg, the original Seminole County tax collection, as his “wingman”.
Greenberg had previously pleaded guilty to charges including underage sex trafficking, line scams, stalking, identity theft, producing a fake ID, and conspiring to mislead the US government.
Journalists investigating Gaetz’s Venmo dealings with Greenberg and additional information describing his conduct in the Florida House, including a say about a” Harry Potter”-themed sexual competition, were the subject of popular media attention following the discoveries surrounding Greenberg.
When ethics committee launched an investigation
In 2021, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Matt Gaetz’s allegations of sexual misconduct. The committee resumed its investigation in May 2023 despite initially holding off on the subject of pending charges from the justice department.
The committee, known for its discretion, publicly stated it was looking into whether Gaetz had been involved in sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, accepted improper gifts, or obstructed investigations.
Legislators were prepared to vote on releasing their findings regarding Gaetz’s conduct, according to The New York Times. However, before they could proceed, the Florida Republican unexpectedly resigned. Soon after Trump chose Gaetz as his attorney general nominee, this was announced.
Gaetz and McCarthy engaged in a heated argument.
Kevin McCarthy, then-House minority leader, was expected to become the next House speaker after Republicans regained control of the chamber in the 2022 midterms. However, Gaetz and a few other lawmakers had different intentions. After the 14th vote failed, tensions reached their highest point in January 2023, when Gaetz was confronted by Alabama’s representative Mike Rogers, who was the house’s armed services committee chair, who had to be restrained physically. Gaetz’s continued opposition to McCarthy had been a major obstacle to McCarthy securing the speaker’s position. McCarthy eventually won the next election, and Rogers later apologized.
In the end, McCarthy was given the upper hand in choosing the speaker, but Gaetz and other conservative lawmakers continued to exert significant influence on him. A single member may initiate the removal process for the speaker in accordance with House rules. By submitting a motion to vacate in October 2023, Gaetz led the charge to remove McCarthy from office with the support of seven other Republicans and House Democrats.
McCarthy has consistently argued that his removal was personal and motivated by revenge, despite Gaetz ‘ claim that his push to remove him was motivated by policy disagreements. Gaetz should also be imprisoned, according to McCarthy.
McCarthy’s team escorted him away at the Republican National Convention in 2024, which also showed the tension between McCarthy and Gaetz. ” What night are you speaking”? Gaetz asked, disrupting McCarthy’s conversation.
