Heres whats next for Matt Gaetz after his withdrawal from AG run, resignation from Congress

Former Rep.Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdrew from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general-designate on Thursday, but the ex-congressman still could have several career pathways to choose from going forward.

Immediately after the 42-year-old announced he was no longer a candidate to run the Justice Department, Republicans started questioning whether Gaetz will attempt to reclaim the seat he was re-elected to earlier this month or seek a different position — including potentially lobbying to take over for Marco Rubio in the Senate once Rubio resigns to become Trump’s secretary of state.Sen.Rick Scott (R-Fla.) expressed openness to the idea, telling Politico that “Matt would be a great person” if Florida Gov.

Ron DeSantis doesn’t choose Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump to fill the seat.Gaetz resigned from the lame-duck 118th Congress immediately after Trump announced his choice of the lawmaker as AG Nov.13.

In his resignation letter, Gaetz told House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) that he does “not intend” to take his seat in the 119th Congress, which convenes Jan.3 — though there is always the possibility that he could change his mind.DeSantis has yet to call a special election to replace either Gaetz or Rep.

Mike Waltz, who was chosen to be Trump’s national security adviser.If Gaetz chose to do so, he could run in any special election to fill his former seat in the remaining days of the 118th Congress — and then take his seat Jan.

3 as the duly elected representative of Florida’s 1st District.However, if Gaetz does decide he wants to return to the national legislature, he will have to contend with the ethics probe into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, among other transgressions.Gaetz resigned two days before the ethics committee was due to vote on releasing its report, which has yet to be finalized — though the panel could still vote to release it at a scheduled meeting Dec.5.Add...