Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s initial pick for attorney general ahead of his White House return, has withdrawn from consideration for the post. Trump’s decision to choose Gaetz shocked Washington and the country. 

Gaetz had faced significant scrutiny over a previous federal investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl that cast doubt over his ability to be confirmed as the country’s top legal official. 

He has also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.

The top newspapers in the United States all lead with the news of Gaetz’s withdrawal. 

Matt Gaetz withdraws

‘Trump doesn’t have unlimited power,’ says The Wall Street Journal.

The Wall Street Journal says Gaetz’s withdrawal hours earlier was an embarrassing setback for the president-elect and a sign that he doesn’t have unlimited political capital to spend on cabinet nominations. 

‘Trump picked another loyalist in Pam Bondi,’ highlights the LA Times.

Los Angeles Times says as GOP senators signalled scepticism, Donald Trump picked another loyalist in Pam Bondi – a woman he had initially considered for the role. 

”Early setback for incoming president,’ says the New York Times.

The New York Times says his withdrawal was due to not having secured enough votes for approval despite the Republican majority Senate. The paper is another one to call it an early setback for the incoming president. 

‘Gaetz the first casualty of Trump’s unconventional Cabinet,’ The Washington Post.

The Washington Post says Gaetz is the ‘first casualty of Trump’s unconventional’ Cabinet. The paper says Republican senators will now have to decide if they are to defy the president-elect again over other nominations he has made, most notably Pete Hegseth for defence secretary. 

‘His withdrawal comes one day after committee blocked report into investigation, notes The Boston Post.

The Boston Post says he dropped out as heat was rising. His withdrawal came just one day after the committee blocked the release of a report into the investigation. Two women had earlier told the committee that Gaetz had paid them for sex