Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) mentioned Friday he is not going to return to Congress after resigning his Home seat final week, regardless of withdrawing Thursday from consideration to be President-elect Trump’s lawyer common — however added that he’s “not going anywhere.”
“I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz instructed conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, later including that may be a “pretty poetic time” to let Florida’s 1st District have new illustration.
There was a query about whether or not Gaetz could attempt to return to Congress for the 119th Congress, and whether or not he would need to, given the cautious wording in his resignation letter final week.
However he put an finish to that hypothesis.
“I’ve got other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue, my wife and my family. And so I’m going to be fighting for President Trump. I’m going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have,” Gaetz mentioned. “But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.”
Gaetz’s choice to not return to Congress may additionally play a job in squashing the Home Ethics Committee’s report on its yearslong investigation into him. The panel investigated Gaetz over allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and different issues. He has vigorously denied any wrongdoing.
The Ethics panel on Wednesday declined to launch its report on Gaetz after Republicans on the panel opted towards doing so, however left open the potential for opting to launch it at a later date.
Nonetheless, Rep. Michael Visitor (R-Miss.), the chair of the committee, mentioned Thursday that Gaetz’s choice to withdraw from consideration for lawyer common “should end the discussion” relating to whether or not the panel ought to launch its report on the Florida Republican.
Two Home Democrats have additionally made strikes to attempt to pressure Home votes requiring the Ethics panel to launch its report on Gaetz, and have vowed to proceed with pushing for a vote when Congress returns from Thanksgiving.
It isn’t clear what the Florida lawmaker does subsequent, however Gaetz has loads of choices except for returning to the Home. These embrace Trump appointing him to a place that doesn’t require Senate affirmation, exploring a run for governor of Florida, and even launching a media profession.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not taking off for like, you know, tropical excursion for the rest of my life. I am here to help save this country,” he mentioned Friday.
“We need a leadership structure under President Trump that’s going to allow for durability of our movement and the ability to continue this great realignment of our politics. So I’ll play a part in that. I plan to be a big voice,” Gaetz added.
