Matt Gaetz says he will not return to Congress

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who dropped out as nominee for Attorney General, said he will not return to Congress in January 2025. Gaetz resigned from the current 118th Congress, but was elected to join the 119th, so he could have been sworn in if he chose. 

“I’m still gonna be in the fight but it’s gonna be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz said on Real America’s Voice. “There are a number of fantastic Floridians who’ve stepped up to run.” 

Gaetz’s wife, Ginger, posted on X.

Unemployment has never looked so good pic.twitter.com/wGfxr2HjDg

— Ginger Gaetz (@GingerLGaetz) November 22, 2024

“Unemployment has never looked so good,” she wrote.

Gaetz withdrew as Attorney General nominee on Thursday, Nov. 21. He met with Senators on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Nov. 20 and acknowledged there were multiple Republicans who were not willing to support him. He could only lose three GOP votes to be confirmed, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, had already said she was a no, while others expressed reservations.

Gaetz was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, converting campaign funds for personal use and accepting a bribe. The committee was actively considering whether to release their report, even though Gaetz had already resigned and was therefore no longer under their jurisdiction. 

“They go and dredge up false, years old allegations of the most salacious and click baitey flavor possible,” Gaetz said. “And in this case those allegations were coming from sources that Merrick Garland’s DOJ had deemed not credible.” 

After Gaetz withdrew, President-elect DonaldTrump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the department. 

“Pam Bondi’s confirmation won’t have some of the sharp edges that mine would have, it won’t have the same long process,” Gaetz told host Charlie Kirk. “So AG Bondi will be able to start implementing those Trump policies right away so we’re ready on day one.” 

Now that Gaetz is out of Congress and not returning, the Ethics Committee report into his conduct will likely never be released.