Summary

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz announced he will not return to Congress after withdrawing as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Gaetz, who recently resigned from Congress, cited personal goals and his desire to support Trump from outside elected office.

He denied the allegations, which include claims of paying a minor for sex, calling them false.

A special election will be held on April 1, 2025, to fill his seat, leaving House Republicans with a slimmer majority.

Gaetz hinted at continuing involvement in Trump’s political movement.

    • EndOfLine@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      No. He helped to shield the reputation of an accused rapist, pedophile, and sex trafficker.

      By nominating Gaetz, Trump gave him an excuse to resign that has nothing to do with the ethics probe against him. After he resigned, the Republican led ethics committee was allowed to withhold the release of the ethics report. Once that was done, Gaetz withdrew from the nomination ensuring that the report also does not come up during confirmation hearings. Thus all of his dark secrets remain hidden in the shadows allowing him to reoffend and / or seek other positions of influence.

      • Atelopus-zeteki@fedia.io
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        12 days ago

        Which is precisely why that report needs to come to light. And why accused politicians should not be allowed to quietly slip away by the simple measure of leaving office. The crimes alleged were either committed or they were not, and that needs to be determined by a court of law. Allowing politicians to avoid prosecution undermines democracy.

    • Erasmus@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      I thought that at first too but now I am starting to think that some of these nominations were a ruse. Nominate the ‘worst ones of my supporters’ that have zero chance and if they get in, they get in, favors re-paid.

      If they don’t then he gets to find out who cried the loudest against him to keep them out (aka who wasn’t ‘loyal’) in the process and he will work to get those people kicked out.

      He will always find jobs for the Gaetz’s or whoever - maybe not top cabinet picks but there will be some ass kissing job somewhere.

      But I might be wrong as well. Gaetz was all around hated by everyone and completely incompetent but then again so are a few of his other choices. I guess time will tell.

  • affiliate@lemmy.world
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    12 days ago

    i swear to god this guys face looks different from every angle. i hope that in a couple weeks i wont have to see it again

      • dhork@lemmy.world
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        12 days ago

        I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the MAGA candidate for President in 2028

    • Ghostalmedia@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      He’s from the performing arts wing of the MAGA movement, not the governing wing. He never actually didn’t any legislating before, so I imagine that he’ll continue to be a loud annoying talking head.

  • Whirlygirl9@kbin.melroy.org
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    12 days ago

    Matt Gaetz says he doesn’t plan to rejoin Congress after withdrawing as Trump’s pick for attorney general Matt Gaetz says he doesn’t want to go to jail and if he goes back to Congress, the ethics report will be released and he will serve time due to being a drug user, distributer, and pedophile because he was stupid enough to show everyone the creepy videos he took on his phone.

    • snooggums@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      It is a shame that the police and courts can’t prosecute and/or sentence Republicans who openly admit to crimes. Seems like something that should apply to everyone, but apparently it doesn’t.

      • NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world
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        12 days ago

        You see, our legal system applies the law to everyone as the unique individuals that we are. You can’t just apply the law equally across the board, that would be unfair to people who are different than you.