Trump's Attorney General pick withdraws nomination
Donald Trump's nominee for US Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, has announced that he withdraws his candidacy from consideration. The reason was opposition from the Senate. according to Reuters.
"There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General," Gaetz stated.
The announcement came a day after the House Ethics Committee reached a deadlock, releasing a report detailing allegations against Matt Gaetz involving sexual misconduct and drug use, and after he met with Republican senators whose support he needs to become Attorney General.
Recently elected US President Donald Trump nominated Congressman Matt Gaetz for the position of Attorney General in his administration.
However, US media reported that Trump might lack the votes needed to secure Gaetz's confirmation.
For Gaetz to secure the role, his appointment must first be approved by the US Senate.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal stated he knew of five to ten Republican colleagues who would not vote to confirm Gaetz as Attorney General, a number sufficient to block the nomination.
Gaetz had been the subject of a federal investigation into human trafficking, which concluded without charges. The House of Representatives also investigated allegations of his possible sexual involvement with minors and illegal drug use.
