Gaetz Steps Down from Congress — Potentially Avoiding Anticipated Ethics Report
His resignation occurred on the same day that Donald Trump selected him to be attorney general; however, some Republicans speculate that there were additional reasons behind his decision.
TroibNews 
GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz officially resigned from the House on Wednesday, as announced by Speaker Mike Johnson. This development coincided with Donald Trump’s announcement that he had chosen Gaetz to be his attorney general.
“He issued his resignation letter effective immediately from Congress. That caught us by surprise a little bit,” Johnson remarked during a press conference.
While Johnson’s announcement took some by surprise, many GOP lawmakers reported that leadership had briefed them about Gaetz's resignation prior to this. There was a sense of excitement among some members who were relieved to see the departure of the individual instrumental in Kevin McCarthy's ousting as Speaker. Notably, Gaetz was absent from the lengthy GOP meeting near the Capitol on the same day, where leadership was elected.
According to Johnson, Gaetz's sudden resignation was motivated by his awareness of the lengthy process to fill his seat if he were to become attorney general. Johnson also mentioned that he spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, indicating that Gaetz’s early resignation might allow for his seat to be filled as soon as January 3, when the House is set to elect a new speaker.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond regarding the timing of scheduling a special election. However, legal deadlines at both state and federal levels complicate the possibility of organizing one before Congress reconvenes in January.
Some GOP colleagues in the House believe that Gaetz's decision is linked to an upcoming Ethics Committee report investigating multiple allegations against him, including claims involving sexual conduct with a minor, which they expect to be released soon. Gaetz has firmly denied any wrongdoing and has criticized the committee looking into the allegations against him. If Gaetz is no longer a member of the House, it is likely that the report would not be formally released, though it could still become public.
One anonymous House Republican connected Gaetz's resignation to an attempt to “stymie the ethics investigation that is coming out in one week.”
Requests for comment regarding Gaetz’s resignation went unanswered by Gaetz himself, his spokesperson, and a senior aide.
Among GOP senators, there are already concerns regarding Gaetz's chances of confirmation as attorney general, facing significant opposition within the party. Some of his House colleagues have also expressed skepticism about his potential confirmation.
“I don’t think Matt cares if he gets confirmed — everybody is talking about him … so for Matt this is a win,” stated Rep. Max Miller, who added that Gaetz “ran around here last term like a six-year-old with a loaded revolver and a happy trigger finger.”
Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest informed reporters that the investigation into Gaetz would conclude if he was no longer a member of the House.
“Once the investigation is complete, the Ethics Committee will meet as a committee. We will then return our findings. If Matt Gaetz is still a member of Congress, then that will occur. If Matt has resigned, then this ethics investigation, like many others in the past, will end again,” Guest noted about the consequences of Gaetz being selected for the attorney general position.
Gary Fineout and Eleanor Mueller contributed to this report.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
“He issued his resignation letter effective immediately from Congress. That caught us by surprise a little bit,” Johnson remarked during a press conference.
While Johnson’s announcement took some by surprise, many GOP lawmakers reported that leadership had briefed them about Gaetz's resignation prior to this. There was a sense of excitement among some members who were relieved to see the departure of the individual instrumental in Kevin McCarthy's ousting as Speaker. Notably, Gaetz was absent from the lengthy GOP meeting near the Capitol on the same day, where leadership was elected.
According to Johnson, Gaetz's sudden resignation was motivated by his awareness of the lengthy process to fill his seat if he were to become attorney general. Johnson also mentioned that he spoke with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, indicating that Gaetz’s early resignation might allow for his seat to be filled as soon as January 3, when the House is set to elect a new speaker.
DeSantis’ office did not immediately respond regarding the timing of scheduling a special election. However, legal deadlines at both state and federal levels complicate the possibility of organizing one before Congress reconvenes in January.
Some GOP colleagues in the House believe that Gaetz's decision is linked to an upcoming Ethics Committee report investigating multiple allegations against him, including claims involving sexual conduct with a minor, which they expect to be released soon. Gaetz has firmly denied any wrongdoing and has criticized the committee looking into the allegations against him. If Gaetz is no longer a member of the House, it is likely that the report would not be formally released, though it could still become public.
One anonymous House Republican connected Gaetz's resignation to an attempt to “stymie the ethics investigation that is coming out in one week.”
Requests for comment regarding Gaetz’s resignation went unanswered by Gaetz himself, his spokesperson, and a senior aide.
Among GOP senators, there are already concerns regarding Gaetz's chances of confirmation as attorney general, facing significant opposition within the party. Some of his House colleagues have also expressed skepticism about his potential confirmation.
“I don’t think Matt cares if he gets confirmed — everybody is talking about him … so for Matt this is a win,” stated Rep. Max Miller, who added that Gaetz “ran around here last term like a six-year-old with a loaded revolver and a happy trigger finger.”
Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest informed reporters that the investigation into Gaetz would conclude if he was no longer a member of the House.
“Once the investigation is complete, the Ethics Committee will meet as a committee. We will then return our findings. If Matt Gaetz is still a member of Congress, then that will occur. If Matt has resigned, then this ethics investigation, like many others in the past, will end again,” Guest noted about the consequences of Gaetz being selected for the attorney general position.
Gary Fineout and Eleanor Mueller contributed to this report.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
