Quotes
WTF?! We want YOU, Matt Gaetz to lead the DOJ! We gave DJT a mandate and he chose you!"
Kylie Jane Kremer, executive director of Women for America First, responded to Gaetz's post
YOUR NAME WAS NOT A DISTRACTION. WE THE PEOPLE WANT YOU AS ATTORNEY GENERAL. DONT LET ANYBODY TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY. WE WANT CORRUPTED OFFICIALS IN JAIL FOR WHAT THEY TO THE PEOPLE AND OUR PRESIDENT TRUMP."
In a plea for Gaetz to reconsider his removal, Zimmerman continued
Why would you back out of the deal when you were going after the swamp and the deep state the entire time. I mean the people are all excited for it. I won't let you withdraw your name."
Another user, Matthew Zimmerman, wroteWe didn't win in a landslide to allow a handful of elitist Senators get in our way. Full steam ahead."
Political commentator and Make America Great Again (MAGA) supporter Joseph Pino, who is followed by one of Trump's X accounts, also replied to Gaetz's post, writingWe're glad to see that Matt Gaetz has withdrawn his name for consideration for Attorney General, and we urge the Trump/Vance Administration to nominate someone for this role who has impeccable character and who is committed to fully enforce obscenity and sex trafficking laws. There is no shortage of qualified leaders with track records of integrity who can serve as Attorney General."
Dawn Hawkins, the CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, told NewsweekMy clients are relieved to have this chapter behind them and eager to move forward with their lives,
Leppard saidFrom the start, Matt Gaetz was a profoundly unfit choice for attorney general. He was right to withdraw his name for consideration. It is clear Gaetz felt pressure to step down in the face of such damning and credible reports of his involvement in the sexual abuse and trafficking of a 17-year-old,
Martin told Newsweek
My view was that he should have had a full and fair hearing. He obviously made the decision that the path did not look clear, and I respect that. I'm confident that President Trump will appoint an attorney general who will be up to the task of restoring integrity to the Department of Justice."
Cruz saidIt was clear that there was meaningful resistance in the Senate. I think numerous senators had expressed that view,
Cruz said in an exclusive interview with NewsweekI greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the administration, for which he has much respect,
Trump said
I will forever be honoured that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America,
he saidI remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history,
he wrote
Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!”
Trump said on Thursday
Matt Gaetz asked Trump for a pardon for sex trafficking a child. He didn't get that pardon. So he came back and asked to be Attorney General."
A post on X, formerly Twitter, by Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko, posted on November 19, 2024, saidAttorney General will look great on you my love.”
After Gaetz was first tapped for the powerful role, his wife wroteThe end of an era. No one loves America more than this guy.”
In the moments after he made his announcement, the 30-year-old “wifey” of the former Florida congressman posted a photo of the pair walking on the steps of the Capitol building on Instagram writingHe (Trump) went out on a limb on this one and it got sawed off pretty quickly.
Republican strategist Scott Jennings said
She testified [that] in July of 2017, at this house party, she was walking out to the pool area, and she looked to her right, and she saw Rep. Gaetz having sex with her friend, who was 17,
Leppard said
I just think it'd be unwise to do that if he can't get the votes of the majority party, which is his party,
he told Fox NewsHe resigned to avoid the release of the ethics report on his activities, which would be highly damaging,
Parker said