The former congressman came out unscathed after a federal sex crime investigation, which he referred to as a product of the “deep state”

News broke he has been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over allegations including sexual misconduct.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he picked Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as his attorney general, a choice that could put the Florida Republican in charge of the federal department that investigated him over sex trafficking accusations and ultimately decided not to bring charges.

Republican senators reacted with shock and incredulity to the news that Donald Trump wants Matt Gaetz to be attorney general.

The Florida congressman would be the first U.S. attorney general in four decades who never worked as a government attorney or judge.

The committee is looking into a variety of claims that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, accepted “improper gifts” and gave out special favors. Gaetz denied the allegations. The speaker said he asked Gaetz for his reasoning for stepping down from his post,

Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL) speaks on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo By Andrew Goudsward and Sarah N.

Donald Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General has sparked backlash in the GOP, even among the president-elect's most loyal followers.