WASHINGTON – Matt Gaetz withdrew on Thursday while That of President-elect Donald Trump choice for attorney general amid continuing fallout from a federal investigation into sex trafficking this cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s federal law enforcement chief.

The announcement ends a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election victory to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative picks like Gaetz, who had been the subject of a Senate investigation. Justice Department before being chosen last week to lead it. The move could increase scrutiny of other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon chooses Pete Hegsethwho faces sexual assault allegations that he denies.

“Even though the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction from the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition,” said Gaetz, a Florida Republican who met with senators a day earlier in an effort to to gain their support. said in a statement.

“There is no time to waste in a needlessly prolonged fight in Washington, which is why I will withdraw my name from consideration for attorney general.” Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready from day one,” he added.

Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate Matt Gaetz’s recent efforts to secure approval for Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, he did not want to be a distraction to the Administration, for which he has a lot of respect. Matt has a wonderful future and I can’t wait to see all the great things he does! »

He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he appointed personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to leadership positions within the department. Another possible suitor, Matthew Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as U.S. ambassador to NATO.

The withdrawal, just a week after the choice was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a confirmation battle that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks.

The choice of Trump’s fierce ally over well-known veteran lawyers whose names had been circulating as potential candidates raised concerns about the Justice Department’s independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retaliation against his political opponents. This underlined Trump’s bounty places personal loyalty and reflects the desire of the president-elect having a troublemaker at the head of a Justice Department that investigated for years and finally indicted him.

In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers have demanded more information about Justice Department and Congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. In the meantime, Justice Department lawyers surprised by partisan lawmaker’s choice with limited legal experience who echoed Trump’s claims that the criminal justice system is a weapon.

As Gaetz sought to block support in the Senate, concerns over sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating.

In recent days, one lawyer for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions starting in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman.

One of the women said she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to attorney Joel Leppard. Leppard said her client said she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, that she ended their relationship when he found out and didn’t take her back until after his 18 years old. The age of consent in Florida is 18.

“They are grateful for the opportunity to move forward in their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They hope this will bring some closure for all parties involved.”

Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation concluded last year with no charges filed against him.

Gaetz’s political future is uncertain.

He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat after being chosen as attorney general, a move seen as a way to end the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He was re-elected in November to the new Congress, which will convene on January 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week that he did not intend to take the oath of office.

A special election is planned in Florida for his seat.

Republicans on the House Ethics Committee this week declined to release the panel’s findings, despite objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee agreed to complete its work and is expected to meet again on Dec. 5 to discuss the issue.

As news of Gaetz’s decision spread through the Capitol, Republican senators appeared divided.

Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive decision.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put the country first and I’m pleased with his decision.”

Others said they hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, said he was “disappointed.” I like Matt and think he would have changed the way the DOJ is run.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hoped Trump would choose someone “just as tenacious and just as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization within the DOJ.”

Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative report released Wednesday shows a woman told police she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to run the Pentagon, after he took her phone and blocked the door of a hotel room in California. and refused to let her go.

“The matter was thoroughly investigated and I was completely exonerated,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination.

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Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.