Matt Gaetz withdraws his name to become Trump's AG

Gaetz told people close to him that after conversations with senators and members of their staff, he had concluded that there were at least four Republican senators in the next Congress who were implacably opposed to his nomination: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and the newly elected John Curtis of Utah.

Collins said in a statement after Gaetz’s withdrawal that he had “put country first” and had made “the best decision that Mr. Gaetz could have made.” Murkowski declined to answer any questions about the matter.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, said it was “pretty obvious” that Gaetz did not have the votes to be confirmed.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., who had sparred with Gaetz previously but had not indicated whether he would vote against him, said the withdrawal recognized reality. “I think because of the reports that were coming out, it was probably a good decision,” he said.

www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2024/11/21/matt-gaetz-withdraws-consideration/