Matt Gaetz, ex-House Representative of Florida and Attorney General Nominee, has withdrawn from the Attorney General nomination after a litany of scrutiny and controversy regarding the House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged assault of underaged women and drug abuse. Gaetz denied the allegations and continued his crusade against the continued mention of his alleged past, which comes from bipartisan sources such as prominent Republicans such as Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.).

Gaetz has consistently been associated with a far-right platform, peddling conspiracies about January 6th, an attempt at blocking a democratic election with violent force, and introduced legislature to limit federal prosecutors’ ability to bring charges against those associated or suspected to be associated with January 6th. He has additionally preached the false claim that federal agents provoked the violence on January 6th, and there was, in fact, no insurrection whatsoever. Gaetz has additionally voted in favor of legislation such as the Preventing Climate Emissions Reporting Bill and Blocking the EPA Cleaner Cars and Trucks Standards Bill, showcasing a heavy anti-climate voting tendency in a world of rising climate troubles. He was also the prime anti-Kevin McCarthy coalition member during his relatively short term as Speaker of the House, which showcased the deep divide between ideologies in the Republican Party. With Gaetz being such a controversial nominee, there was mention that he would most likely not be approved by the Senate, and Trump could potentially utilize a constitutional loophole called “recess appointments,” which would usurp the Senate entirely.

Overall, Republicans and the nation breathe a sigh of relief as Gaetz withdraws with Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okl.), who stated that the withdrawal was “probably a good idea.” Gaetz was considered an unqualified and rash pick by an already controversial administration, which has seen several controversial nominations over the past weeks.