Matt Gaetz resigns from Congress after Trump taps him for AG

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned from Congress on Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination to serve as attorney general.

Trump announced his choice of Gaetz the same day via Truth Social, saying he "will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department."

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the resignation, which has already taken effect. Johnson indicated that Gaetz made the decision to expedite his replacement.

“I think, out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter effective immediately, of Congress," Johnson said, per The Hill. "That caught us by surprise a little bit, but I asked him what the reasoning was and he said, well, you can’t have too many absences, so under Florida state law there’s about an eight-week period to select and fill a vacant seat."

"And so by doing so today that allows me, I’ve already placed a call to Gov. DeSantis in Florida and said let’s start the clock,” he concluded.

Gaetz's selection surprised lawmakers and pundits alike. The conservative firebrand has long been a stalwart supporter of Trump and he led the charge to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year.

Though his representation of a solid Republican district makes it unlikely that the resignation will substantially impact the Republican majority, it will at least temporarily narrow the margin and leave Johnson with little room to maneuver.

It remains unclear whether Gaetz may secure confirmation in the Senate.