Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) will not return to Congress after declining to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general nominee.
Gaetz resigned from the 118th Congress, but after winning reelection earlier this month, he could technically be sworn in and return to his seat in the 119th Congress. But on Friday, he told Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk that he would not be a member of the next Congress, which takes over in January.
“I'm still going to join the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch. I'm not going to be in the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told Kirk on the Real American Voices show. spoke. charlie kirk show.
“There are so many amazing Floridians who rose up to run for my seat, people who have been an inspiration with their heroism and public service, and I want to help Northwest Florida reach new heights.” “I'm actually excited to see them get great representation,” he added.
Gaetz stressed that he will continue to fight for Trump and the MAGA movement.
“I'm going to do whatever he asks me to do, as always. But I think eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.
Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Kirk also discussed the House Ethics Committee's report on Mr. Gaetz and its impact on the former lawmaker's decision to ignore the consideration.
Gates said the report's claims “come from a well-informed source.” [Attorney General] Merrick Garland Department of Justice [Department of Justice] I had already decided that I couldn't trust him. ”
He also said he could have fought a months-long confirmation battle and answered all questions on the issue, but that President Trump needs an attorney general who can hit the ground running from day one.
“We could have answered all those questions. We could have spent months fighting over the facts, but we don't have months to get through that,” he said.
“We need to have an AG ready from day one to implement immigration policy and address the president's other major policy goal of deregulation,” he said.
After Gates announced his candidacy, President Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department.
Gaetz praised Bondi and predicted her confirmation process would go smoothly.
“My good friend Pam Bondi would be a phenomenal attorney general for Donald Trump. She has legal acumen. She hates criminals. She's a smart A fellow Floridian with a legal mindset,” Gaetz said.
“Pam Bondi's endorsement doesn't have the same sharp edges that my endorsement does. It doesn't go through the same long process,” he continued. “Therefore, AG Bondi can start implementing these Trump policies immediately so he is ready from day one.”
