Matt Gaetz Says He'll Fight for Trump 'from a New Perch' After Quitting Congress for Failed AG Bid

Gaetz confirmed in an interview on Friday, Nov. 22, that he does not intend to return to the House of Representatives, even though he is no longer in line to become the U.S. attorney general

Former attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz said that he is serious about being done with Congress, though he is ready to do "whatever" President-elect Donald Trump might ask of him next.

On Friday, Nov. 22, the recently resigned Florida congressman shared in an interview with right-wing personality Charlie Kirk that he has "other goals in life" he's looking to pursue and does not intend to return to the House after withdrawing his attorney general nomination amid a sex-for-hire scandal on Nov. 21.

"I'm still gonna be in the fight, but its gonna be from a new perch," Gaetz, 42, said. "I did not intend to join the [upcoming] 119th congress. There are a number of fantastic Floridians who stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, their public service. I'm actually excited to see Northwest Florida go to new heights and have great representation."

Related: Matt Gaetz Withdraws as Donald Trump's Attorney General Pick amid Sex-for-Hire Allegations

Gaetz — who has denied long-running allegations related to sex trafficking, sexual misconduct with minors and illicit drug use — added that even if he won't be the next attorney general, he still plans to be "fighting for President Trump" and doing "whatever he asks of me as I always have," calling his eight years in Congress "probably enough time."

The politician was previously investigated by the Justice Department in a sex trafficking probe, though the federal government declined to bring charges. The House Ethics Committee then began investigating similar allegations, and when it was announced that they may release their findings this month, Gaetz resigned his congressional seat.

Related: Donald Trump's Cabinet Picks: Who He's Already Chosen and Who He Might Choose Next

Speaking with Kirk on Friday, Gaetz also commended former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Trump nominated for attorney general hours after Gaetz withdrew his nomination. He called Trump's second choice a "phenomenal attorney general" as he praised her "legal acumen."

"Even though the path will take me to a different station in life and a different place to fight for our agenda, and President Trump, we've got a great person in place," he said.

Related: Matt Gaetz Bought Sex with His 'Son' Nestor's PayPal Account, Women Reportedly Told House Investigators

Gaetz announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday that he was withdrawing his nomination after "unfairly becoming a distraction" to the White House transition of Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.

The politician wrote that he was "fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history," while explaining that he wouldn't be prepared to take on the responsibilities so soon given his scandal.

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New nominee Bondi, 59, has a history of serving as a lobbyist for the government of Qatar, a lawyer at the Trump-aligned think tank America First Policy Institute and a Fox News contributor. She promoted the president-elect's false claims of election fraud after she left state office in 2019.

"For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore," Trump said in announcing Bondi's nomination on Nov. 21.