The real reason why Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination for attorney general was a call from Donald Trump hours before Gaetz announced his decision. Despite lobbying efforts by Gaetz, Trump, and JD Vance, Gaetz lacked the necessary votes for confirmation. Gaetz stated his decision aimed to avoid distractions and ensure a swift transition for the Trump administration. Pam Bondi was nominated as his replacement.

Matt Gaetz earlier said he would stick to the nomination unless Trump gives him any signal.

Hours before former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew from the nomination of the attorney general, he received a call from President-elect Donald Trump. "You don't have the votes. These senators aren't moving," Trump who apparently left no stone unturned to push Gaetz as the AG bluntly told him. Bulwark reported that in the phone call, Gaetz acknowledged that he had between four and six Republican votes against him. He could only lose three. The report said that Gaetz was confident to stay put in the nomination unless Trump signaled him otherwise and the signal came Thursday.

And the call came after Trump and Gaetz made multiple calls to lawmakers on their own, and after JD Vance accompanied Gaetz to the Hill to lobby Senate Judiciary Committee members.

Gaetz said his confirmation was becoming a distraction

As Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination, he said his confirmation by the Senate was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump-Vance transition. "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. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," Matt Gaetz posted. Pam Bondi was nominated in his place.

What about the sexual misconduct allegation against Matt Gaetz

Matt Gaetz clarified that he will not be returning to Congress though he easily won the reelection. He resigned from Congress after he was nominated as the attorney general by Trump. His resignation brought him out of the purview of the House Ethics Committee which was investigating the sexual misconduct allegations against him. Now it's unlikely that the report will ever see the light of the day as Gaetz is not a member of Congress and not going to be Trump's attorney general.

Gaetz could still be nominated to other positions in the Trump administration that won't require confirmation by the Senate. Gaetz said he was not retiring from politics and would be fighting for Donald Trump but not probably as an elected member.

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