What's next for Matt Gaetz: 5 possibilities

The political future of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) is up in the air following the Trump administration's announcement that he is withdrawing his name from the list of attorney general candidates.

Gaetz has come under intense scrutiny for past investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the House Ethics Committee. The Justice Department had been investigating Gaetz as part of a broader sex trafficking investigation that included allegations involving underage women, but declined to prosecute. Mr. Gates strongly denied these accusations. The former lawmaker was also the subject of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.

“While momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation unfairly impeded the important work of the Trump-Vance transition,” Gaetz wrote on social platform X.

Here are five possibilities for what could happen next for Gaetz.

Another role in the Trump administration

Although Gates himself has been removed from the running for attorney general, President-elect Trump could still nominate Gates to executive posts such as the White House, which would not require a Senate confirmation hearing.

Choosing Gaetz would give Trump a high-profile advocate in his administration without going through a complicated confirmation process. Senate Republicans warned in 2018 that Gates' confirmation hearings would be like “Kavanaugh on steroids,” referring to the 2018 hearings for current Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

If Gaetz ends up taking on another role in the Trump administration, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) will set a date for a special election for Gaetz's seat in the state's 1st Congressional District. There will be a need.

Mr. DeSantis has already directed Florida's Secretary of State to set a date for the special election, but no date has been set yet. The 1st District is a red seat and is likely to be a close race in the Republican primary. A number of Republicans have already signed up to run for Gaetz's seat in the special election.

gubernatorial election candidate

Gaetz is one of several Republicans who have been floated to run for governor after DeSantis' term ends in 2026.

But Gaetz's gubernatorial bid comes with challenges.

“Gates is damaged goods and donors should fall in line behind everyone else,” said Dan Everhart, a Florida-based Republican donor.

“The time has come for Mr. Gates to practice law,” he added.

But a run for governor could still cause problems for Gaetz on Capitol Hill. A House Republican, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive topic, said there will likely continue to be calls for more information about the allegations against Gates, including the Ethics Committee report. .

“If he's going to run for governor, which is the kind of governorship that everyone thinks he's running for, I think at least some information needs to be made public, even if it's not this report. “Because people need to know who's who,” the lawmaker said.

Representatives Mike Walz (R-Fla.) and Byron Donald (R-Fla.) were also considered for the position, but Walz was appointed as President Trump's national security adviser. Mr. Gaetz is likely to face Mr. Donald in the primary election.

“Right now, Byron Donald is the best candidate to be the next governor of Florida,” said Ford O'Connell, a Florida-based Republican strategist.

Return to the House of Representatives

Although Gaetz resigned his seat in the current 118th Congress, his resignation leaves the door open for Gaetz to return to the 119th Congress, which begins on January 3, 2025, since he was re-elected to the seat. Ta.

“In order to pursue the position of attorney general in the Trump administration, I do not intend to take the oath of office in the 119th Congress,” Gaetz said in the letter.

Currently, he is not pursuing the attorney general position, so his intentions may change.

It is unclear whether Gaetz will be able to return unilaterally, but some members of Congress believe he can. Otherwise, Gaetz easily wins re-election and could win a special election.

Of course, Gaetz may not want to return to the House. His wife, Ginger Gates, reposted his statement on the attorney general's withdrawal from consideration to X.A photo of the two taken on the steps of the National Diet Building It had the caption “End of an era.”

Being a member of the House means the House Ethics Committee will once again have jurisdiction over him, nullifying difficult questions about whether it is appropriate to release a report on the former lawmaker. The committee investigated Gaetz off and on over the years for sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and other charges. Gates has strongly denied the charges, and the Justice Department declined to indict him after investigating the matter.

Some House Republicans don't want Gaetz, who threw the House into chaos by voting to expel former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), back on the floor.

“Nobody wants him back,” one House Republican told The Hill with a laugh. “I think he can take the oath. I mean, he's elected, so he has every right. So I don't think they can stop him. But he's not loved, that's for sure.”

“Let's get rid of a lot of center-right members all together!” another House Republican told The Hill in response to Gaetz's withdrawal.

media career

There are several paths Gates could pursue in government and politics, but the Florida Republican could also try his hand at a career in the media industry, where he already has experience.

Mr. Gaetz has appeared regularly on television and other media for years, vigorously defending Mr. Trump.

Gates launched his own podcast, Firebrand with Matt Gates, in 2021, which offers a “behind-the-scenes look at the Washington swamp, free of fake news and deep state influence.” It is said that there is explanation. According to YouTube, he just released his 173rd episode.

Gates has also sat on anchor desks at other conservative media outlets. He was a guest on former Trump adviser Steve Bannon's podcast “War Room” and served as a stand-in host on Newsmax.

When discussing the attorney general nomination, Newsmax host Greg Kelly referenced a time when the Florida Republican held a fortress on the station's show.

“Matt Gaetz is a special guy. He's incredibly smart, eloquent, bold, and fearless. He's also a stand-in host on this show from time to time. I'm not kidding.” Kelly said.he added and said: “I'm very honored that we let him start. No, Matt Gaetz has been flattered by his service here at Newsmax, but he's not afraid. And he's a swamp.” I know myself well when taking on challenges.”

One media watcher predicts that Gaetz will be at the Newsmax anchor desk when all is said and done.

“I think Matt Gaetz will end up being the host of Newsmax,” Aaron Looper says.I wrote to X.

Appointment to the Senate

Shortly after Gaetz withdrew his name as a candidate for attorney general, rumors emerged that Gaetz could fill Sen. Marco Rubio's (R-Fla.) Senate seat after Rubio became secretary of state. A perspective emerged.

Mr. Gaetz and Mr. DeSantis, who will decide who will appoint Mr. Rubio for the remainder of his term, are former colleagues in the House. Gaetz helped DeSantis prepare for the debate when he first ran for governor in 2018.

However, the two parties had different positions in the 2024 primary election. Gaetz endorsed Trump in last year's Republican presidential primary just before DeSantis challenged him.

Gates has not been named as a candidate for the position. DeSantis is said to be considering chief of staff James Usmayer, Lt. Gov. Janet Nunez and state Attorney General Ashley Moody.

Lara Trump, the president-elect's daughter-in-law, has been endorsed by a number of prominent members of Congress who have expressed interest in the job. A scenario in which Mr. DeSantis appoints her to the Senate could be seen as an olive branch to the next president.

Rubio will have another chance in the Senate in 2026 when a special election is held for his seat, but that scenario appears to pose the same challenges as running for governor statewide.

Asked about the possibility of Gaetz seeking a Senate seat, Everhart said, “He's toxic for the same reason.” “If he wants to come back, he's going to have to run himself.”