The Republican's announcement follows continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.
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00:00Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump's
00:07pick for Attorney General.
00:09It comes amid continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt
00:14on his ability to be America's chief law enforcement officer.
00:18In a statement, Gaetz said his confirmation was becoming a distraction to the critical
00:22work of the Trump-Vance transition.
00:25The announcement comes days after an attorney for two women said that his clients told House
00:29Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions.
00:35One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida
00:40in 2017.
00:42The attorney said his client testified she didn't think Gaetz knew the girl was underage
00:46and stopped the relationship when he found out.
00:50Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said that the investigation into sex trafficking allegations
00:54had ended with no federal charges against him.
00:58In a social media post, Donald Trump said Matt has a wonderful future and I look forward
01:02to watching all the great things he will do.
01:05Trump has nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his replacement pick.