Mitch McConnell Revealed to Be Among the Four Republicans to Sink Gaetz AG Nomination

(Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

Longtime Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was reportedly among the four Republican senators to sink Matt Gaetz’s bid to be confirmed as attorney general.

According to The New York Times‘ Jonathan Swan, “Matt Gaetz told people close to him that he concluded after conversations with senators and their staffs that there were at least four Republican senators who were implacably opposed to his nomination: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and John Curtis of Utah.”

“Gaetz told confidants he did not want to get in a protracted confirmation battle and delay Trump from getting his attorney general in place immediately at the start of his administration,” added Swan.

Gaetz announced on Thursday that he was withdrawing from consideration for the powerful post shortly after he was informed that CNN would be reporting on a second alleged sexual encounter between the former congressman and a 17-year-old high school student. It had already been reported that a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz had yielded allegations that he had sex with the 17-year-old and paid other women for sex.

Gaetz announced his withdrawal in a statement on X:

I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1. I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.

McConnell did not seek to retain his position as Republican leader going into 2025, but will continue to serve in the upper chamber of Congress.