Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) resigned from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) announced.
Johnson said Gaetz submitted his resignation to House Republican leadership on the same day that President-elect Donald Trump nominated him for attorney general.
“I think out of respect for all of us, he tendered his resignation, effective immediately,” Johnson said. “That surprised us a little too. But when we asked him why, he said he shouldn't be absent too much.”
He said Florida law gives the governor “approximately eight weeks” to fill a vacancy in the House, which could “could fill the seat as early as January 3.” No,” he pointed out.
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Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks at the Republican Florida Freedom Summit on November 4, 2023 in Kissimmee, FL. (AP Photo/Ferrand M. Ebenhack)
Johnson said he has already been in contact with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about the matter.
Speaking to reporters after the House Republican leadership election, Johnson said that President Trump informed him of the decision to appoint Gates to the Department of Justice (DOJ) early Wednesday morning.
House Republicans have selected Representative Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations and Representative Mike Walz (R-Fla.) to serve as National Security Adviser. He is the third person to be nominated by the National Security Agency (NSA). ).
Mr. Trump's two previous selections raised concerns that House Republicans' already slim majority in the 119th Congress would be diluted.
But Gates' early departure is likely to alleviate some of those concerns.
But of the three House members selected, Gaetz is likely to face the highest hurdle to the job.
Democrats are quietly worried about losing the chamber after Republicans win the White House and the Senate.
President-elect Trump nominates Gates as attorney general (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The NSA role has not been confirmed by the Senate, and Stefanik's appointment has already received bipartisan praise.
But several Republican senators have already signaled they have heartburn about Gates. Gates was an outspoken bomb-thrower who was under investigation for a year by the Justice Department on suspicion of having sex with a minor. The Justice Department ultimately did not file charges.
“He will never be confirmed,” a Republican senator who was granted anonymity to speak freely told Fox News Digital.
One Senate Republican official said only, “I don't think it will happen,” regarding the prospects for Gates' confirmation.
The announcement was made during the House Republican leadership race. One lawmaker told Fox News Digital that “you could hear gasps” in the room when the news broke.
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The current Attorney General is Merrick Garland. (Getty Images)
But in nominating Gaetz, President Trump said he would “end weaponized government, secure our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore the American people's badly shattered faith and trust in the Department of Justice.” He praised him as a “talented and tenacious lawyer.''
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House Republican leaders, including Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), similarly praised the appointment.
FOX News Digital reached out to Gaetz to confirm his resignation.
