Former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) political future is up within the air following his announcement that he’s taking his identify out of the operating to be legal professional basic within the Trump administration.
Gaetz was beneath intense scrutiny over previous investigations by the Justice Division (DOJ) and the Home Ethics Committee. The DOJ was investigating Gaetz as part of a broad intercourse trafficking probe, together with allegations involving underage ladies, although it declined to file fees. Gaetz has vigorously denied these accusations. The previous congressman was additionally the topic of a Home Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual misconduct and drug use.
“While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz wrote on social platform X.
Listed below are 5 potentialities for what may come subsequent for Gaetz.
One other position in Trump administration
Whereas Gaetz took himself out of the operating to be legal professional basic, President-elect Trump nonetheless may appoint him to an administration publish, within the White Home or elsewhere, that may not require a Senate affirmation listening to.
By selecting Gaetz, Trump would have a high-profile defender in his administration with out having to undergo a messy affirmation course of. Senate Republicans had been warning that affirmation hearings on Gaetz can be like “Kavanaugh on steroids,” referring to the hearings in 2018 for now-Supreme Court docket Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
If Gaetz had been to tackle one other position within the Trump administration, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) must set a date for a particular election for Gaetz’s seat within the state’s 1st Congressional District.
DeSantis has already instructed the Florida secretary of state to set a schedule for the particular election, however a date has not but been decided. The first District is a pink seat and would possible see a aggressive Republican main. Various Republicans have already lined as much as run within the particular election for Gaetz’s seat.
Gubernatorial run
Gaetz has been among the many Republicans floated to run for governor as soon as DeSantis’s time period ends in 2026.
However a gubernatorial run for Gaetz would include baggage.
“Gaetz is damaged goods and donors should line up behind someone else,” mentioned Dan Eberhart, a Florida-based Republican donor.
“It’s time for Gaetz to practice law,” he added.
A gubernatorial run, nevertheless, may nonetheless immediate issues for Gaetz up on Capitol Hill. One Home Republican, who requested anonymity to debate the delicate subject, mentioned there would possible nonetheless be a push for extra info concerning the allegations in opposition to Gaetz, together with the Ethics Committee’s report.
“If he puts himself out there to run for governor, which is kind of the one everyone seems to think he’s gonna run for, I do think that if not this report, at least some information needs to come out because people need to know who they’re electing,” the lawmaker mentioned.
Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) had been additionally floated for the place, however with Waltz being appointed to function Trump’s nationwide safety adviser, Gaetz would possible face off in opposition to Donalds in a main.
“Right now, the best-positioned person to be the next governor of Florida is Byron Donalds,” mentioned Ford O’Connell, a Florida-based GOP strategist.
Return to Home of Representatives
Gaetz resigned his seat for the present 118th Congress, however his resignation letter left some wiggle room for Gaetz to return for the 119th Congress that begins on Jan. 3, 2025, since he was reelected to the seat.
“I don’t intend to take the oath of workplace for a similar workplace within the 119th Congress to pursue the place of Legal professional Common within the Trump Administration,” Gaetz wrote in his letter.
Now that he’s now not pursuing the legal professional basic place, his intentions could change.
It’s unclear whether or not Gaetz may return unilaterally, however some congressional sources imagine he can. If not, Gaetz has simply gained reelection, and he may possible win a particular election.
In fact, Gaetz could not even need to return to the Home. His spouse, Ginger Gaetz, reposted his assertion on X about withdrawing from legal professional basic consideration with a photograph of the 2 on the Capitol steps that was captioned: “The end of an era.”
Being within the Home would additionally imply that the Home Ethics Committee would once more have jurisdiction over him — and nullifying thorny questions on whether or not it’s applicable to launch a report on a former member. The panel investigated Gaetz on and off for years over allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and different issues. Gaetz has vigorously denied the allegations, and the Division of Justice declined to cost him after investigating associated issues.
A number of Home Republicans don’t need to see Gaetz, who threw the Home into chaos when he voted to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), again within the halls.
“No one wants him back,” one Home Republican advised The Hill with a chuckle. “I think that he can get sworn in, I mean he was elected by his district, he has every right. So, I don’t think we could stop him. But he’s not loved, that’s for sure.”
“A collective good riddance from many right-of-center members!” one other Home Republican advised The Hill in response to Gaetz’s withdrawal.
Media profession
Whereas there are a number of paths Gaetz may pursue in authorities and politics, the Florida Republican may additionally take a stab at a profession in media — an trade through which he already has expertise.
Gaetz has been a daily presence on TV and different media for years, vigorously defending Trump.
In 2021, Gaetz began his personal present, the “Firebrand with Matt Gaetz” podcast, the place he offers a “behind-the-scenes look into the Swamp of Washington without the spin of Fake News and Deep State influence,” in response to the present’s description. Based on YouTube, he simply revealed his 173rd episode.
Gaetz has additionally sometimes discovered himself sitting on the anchor desk at different conservative retailers. He has guest-hosted former Trump adviser Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, and been a fill-in host on Newsmax.
When discussing his appointment to be legal professional basic, Newsmax host Greg Kelly referenced the Florida Republican’s time holding the fort for reveals on the community.
“Matt Gaetz is a special guy. He’s incredibly smart, eloquent, bold, unafraid. He’s also the occasional fill-in host on this program. No kidding,” Kelly mentioned, including: “I am so honored that we gave him his start, didn’t we? No. Matt Gaetz flattered us with his services here at Newsmax, and he is unafraid. And he knows his stuff when he takes on the swamp.”
One media watcher is predicting that Gaetz will land at a Newsmax anchor desk when all is claimed and completed.
“I’m guessing Matt Gaetz ends up as a Newsmax host,” Aaron Rupar wrote on X.
Appointment to Senate
Shortly after Gaetz took his identify out of the ring to be legal professional basic, some floated the likelihood that Gaetz may fill Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-Fla.) seat within the Senate after Rubio is confirmed as secretary of State.
The 2 are former colleagues within the Home, and Gaetz helped put together DeSantis in debate preparation when he first ran for governor in 2018.
However the two had been on totally different sides within the 2024 main. Gaetz backed Trump within the Republican presidential main final yr shortly earlier than DeSantis challenged Trump.
The choice on who will fill Rubio’s seat lies with DeSantis, and Gaetz has not been among the many names floated for the place. DeSantis is claimed to be contemplating his chief of employees James Uthmeier, state Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez and state Legal professional Common Ashley Moody.
Lara Trump, the president-elect’s daughter-in-law, has been floated by quite a few outstanding lawmakers and has expressed curiosity within the place. A state of affairs through which DeSantis appoints her to the Senate may very well be seen as an olive department to the president-elect.
There can be one other likelihood on the Senate in 2026 when the particular election for Rubio’s seat is held, however that state of affairs looks like it will current the identical challenges {that a} statewide run for governor would.
“He’s toxic for the same reasons,” Eberhart mentioned when requested about the potential of Gaetz going for the Senate seat. “If he wants back in, he’s gonna need to run on his own.”
