Matt Gaetz Announces He Won't Return to Congress
On Friday, Gaetz expressed his commitment to remaining involved in the fight, stating, “I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch.”
TroibNews 
One day after withdrawing from consideration as Donald Trump’s attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz announced his departure from Congress.
“I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch,” Gaetz told Charlie Kirk on his radio show Friday. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress."
Elected to his House seat in 2016, Gaetz has often been a thorn in the side of his party’s leadership while fostering a strong relationship with Trump. The Florida firebrand, who named his podcast after this nickname, played a crucial role in the effort that led to the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his leadership position. Throughout his time in Washington, Gaetz has drawn criticism from both House Republicans and Democrats, with few expressing admiration for his approach.
"I'm gonna be fighting for President Trump,” Gaetz explained to Kirk. “I'm gonna be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
An ongoing concern is the House Ethics Committee report concerning Gaetz and allegations of sexual misconduct involving underage women. The committee encountered a deadlock this week regarding the release of its findings and plans to reconvene in December.
Although the Justice Department had investigated Gaetz for similar allegations, it closed its inquiry without filing any charges. Gaetz has consistently maintained his innocence.
Despite his exit from Congress, Gaetz’s political journey may not be over. He could pursue a role within the Trump administration that does not require Senate confirmation or potentially run for office again in Florida.
His position within the contemporary Republican Party is somewhat complex, as he has advocated for measures regarding climate change and the legalization of recreational marijuana while also capturing attention due to his vibrant personal life. In 2020, he introduced the public to Nestor Galban, described as his “adopted son,” through whose payment platform he allegedly made financial transactions to women for sexual encounters.
Gaetz had resigned from Congress shortly after being considered by Trump for a position in his administration, earlier this month. However, he secured reelection in November to represent his district in the upcoming Congress, leading to questions about potential legal issues surrounding his return next year. A special election will need to be scheduled in Florida to find his replacement, although the dates have yet to be announced, and multiple candidates have already expressed interest in running.
Allies of Gaetz have suggested that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis might appoint him to the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat held by Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed as secretary of State. Gaetz and DeSantis had a close relationship, with Gaetz playing a significant role in the governor’s transition in 2018. However, following DeSantis’s decision to run for president in 2024, Gaetz aligned himself more closely with Trump, making a Senate appointment less likely.
Additionally, Gaetz has shown interest in pursuing the governorship in the future, especially since DeSantis will be term-limited in 2026. Although he was present at the Capitol in Tallahassee at the end of the 2024 session, he avoided questions about his gubernatorial ambitions, stating that he was concentrating on his work in Washington.
“I would definitely enjoy that job so much,” Gaetz remarked last year during a livestream with Donald Trump Jr. and his fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, regarding the role of Florida governor. “I would never leave it if I ever got that opportunity.”
In his current deep-red congressional district, Gaetz faced minimal electoral competition. Other prominent Florida Republicans, including Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nuñez, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Rep. Byron Donalds, have indicated interest in running for governor in 2026. Moreover, Gaetz’s father, Don Gaetz, recently secured a seat in the state Senate and previously held the position of Senate president.
Meanwhile, Gaetz's wife, Ginger, has been posting enigmatic messages on X regarding their plans, including a cryptic message on Friday stating, "Unemployment has never looked so good," alongside a photo of her husband enjoying a cocktail at a bar. When queried about their activities, she shared a GIF that read, “Keep guessing.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
“I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch,” Gaetz told Charlie Kirk on his radio show Friday. “I do not intend to join the 119th Congress."
Elected to his House seat in 2016, Gaetz has often been a thorn in the side of his party’s leadership while fostering a strong relationship with Trump. The Florida firebrand, who named his podcast after this nickname, played a crucial role in the effort that led to the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his leadership position. Throughout his time in Washington, Gaetz has drawn criticism from both House Republicans and Democrats, with few expressing admiration for his approach.
"I'm gonna be fighting for President Trump,” Gaetz explained to Kirk. “I'm gonna be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
An ongoing concern is the House Ethics Committee report concerning Gaetz and allegations of sexual misconduct involving underage women. The committee encountered a deadlock this week regarding the release of its findings and plans to reconvene in December.
Although the Justice Department had investigated Gaetz for similar allegations, it closed its inquiry without filing any charges. Gaetz has consistently maintained his innocence.
Despite his exit from Congress, Gaetz’s political journey may not be over. He could pursue a role within the Trump administration that does not require Senate confirmation or potentially run for office again in Florida.
His position within the contemporary Republican Party is somewhat complex, as he has advocated for measures regarding climate change and the legalization of recreational marijuana while also capturing attention due to his vibrant personal life. In 2020, he introduced the public to Nestor Galban, described as his “adopted son,” through whose payment platform he allegedly made financial transactions to women for sexual encounters.
Gaetz had resigned from Congress shortly after being considered by Trump for a position in his administration, earlier this month. However, he secured reelection in November to represent his district in the upcoming Congress, leading to questions about potential legal issues surrounding his return next year. A special election will need to be scheduled in Florida to find his replacement, although the dates have yet to be announced, and multiple candidates have already expressed interest in running.
Allies of Gaetz have suggested that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis might appoint him to the soon-to-be vacant Senate seat held by Sen. Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed as secretary of State. Gaetz and DeSantis had a close relationship, with Gaetz playing a significant role in the governor’s transition in 2018. However, following DeSantis’s decision to run for president in 2024, Gaetz aligned himself more closely with Trump, making a Senate appointment less likely.
Additionally, Gaetz has shown interest in pursuing the governorship in the future, especially since DeSantis will be term-limited in 2026. Although he was present at the Capitol in Tallahassee at the end of the 2024 session, he avoided questions about his gubernatorial ambitions, stating that he was concentrating on his work in Washington.
“I would definitely enjoy that job so much,” Gaetz remarked last year during a livestream with Donald Trump Jr. and his fiancée, Kimberly Guilfoyle, regarding the role of Florida governor. “I would never leave it if I ever got that opportunity.”
In his current deep-red congressional district, Gaetz faced minimal electoral competition. Other prominent Florida Republicans, including Attorney General Ashley Moody, Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nuñez, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Rep. Byron Donalds, have indicated interest in running for governor in 2026. Moreover, Gaetz’s father, Don Gaetz, recently secured a seat in the state Senate and previously held the position of Senate president.
Meanwhile, Gaetz's wife, Ginger, has been posting enigmatic messages on X regarding their plans, including a cryptic message on Friday stating, "Unemployment has never looked so good," alongside a photo of her husband enjoying a cocktail at a bar. When queried about their activities, she shared a GIF that read, “Keep guessing.”
Jessica Kline contributed to this report for TROIB News
