House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Gaetz resigned his seat early so it can be filled as soon as possible.
WASHINGTON—House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced during a Nov. 13 press conference that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) had resigned his seat in the House of Representatives after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general.
Though he’ll likely face a tough fight to be confirmed by the Senate, Johnson said that Gaetz resigned his seat early so it can be filled as soon as possible. Gaetz said that Florida state law requires the vacancy to be filled within 8 weeks, Johnson said.
Gaetz said he called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier the same day. Johnson said this could mean the seat can be filled by as early as Jan. 3, when the first sitting of the new Congress occurs.
Johnson heaped praise upon Gaetz, saying he was among the “most intelligent” people in Congress.
“Everyone who’s served with him will tell you he’s one of the most intelligent members of Congress,” Johnson said during a Nov. 13 press conference in response to a question from The Epoch Times.
“He’s an accomplished attorney. He’s been very worried about the law fare that has been occurring in the Department of Justice under the Biden administration, and the fact that the American people have lost their faith in the institutions of justice.”
Other House lawmakers gave varied takes on the appointment. Some were supportive while others expressed reservations.
“That’ll be great,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told The Epoch Times when asked about Gaetz’s nomination.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican who serves with Gaetz as part of Florida’s congressional delegation, praised the selection on X.
“Gaetz is going to do great things for our country!” she wrote. “He is one of my closest friends in Congress, and we will miss him dearly.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told The Epoch Times, “I think he’d be a great pick.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) also praised the decision, along with Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox host.
By Joseph Lord, Arjun Singh and Sam Dorman
