Senators rocked by Matt Gaetz's surprise attorney general withdrawal but admit 'it's a relief'

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Senators on both sides of the aisle were shocked upon finding out how quickly Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration to be Donald Trump's attorney general. 

The former Florida Republican surprisingly wrote on X Thursday afternoon that he was no longer seeking the top law enforcement position in the U.S. 

'I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many,' Gaetz said.

'While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.'

He then explained he would be withdrawing his name from consideration amid new allegations that he had a threesome involving a minor.

It seemingly tanked his chances of being confirmed by a majority of the Senate.

Senators were shocked by the news that his nomination was derailed eight days after Trump had tapped him for the job. 

'There's a sense of relief of course,' Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said in reaction. 

'I think he did a pretty noble thing, frankly an honorable thing by getting out himself. I look forward to a new nominee that we can get fully behind,' he added. 

Even as Gaetz met with senators on Capitol Hill alongside Vice President-elect J.D. Vance earlier this week, many lawmakers seemed reluctant to back the firebrand. 

Ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., dropped his bid to become attorney general for the upcoming Trump administration Thursday. Republican senators were shocked at his sudden withdrawal

Matt Gaetz mets with Vice President-elect JD Vance and senators in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday

Gaetz faces the release of a House Ethics Committee report alleging his involvement in sex with minors and drug use while in office

CNN reported that a woman testified to the House Ethics Committee that she had two sexual encounters with Gaetz when she was 17.

That allegedly included an encounter with another adult woman, CNN reported on Thursday, just prior to Gaetz's announcement that he would withdraw.

The adult woman in question denied the incident.

Gaetz has denied all of the allegations, and has reminded concerned senators skeptical of his record that Joe Biden's Justice Department investigated him for sex trafficking, but ultimately did not charge him. 

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who met with Gaetz on Wednesday, said there was no indication in his sit-down with the former Florida lawmaker was going to reverse course. 

Hawley admitted he found out Gaetz dropped his AG campaign via X, where the former nominee posted a statement explaining his reasoning for no longer pursuing the job. 

'I mean, ultimately, at the end of the day, this is the President's call, and I trust his judgement on this, he's got to get a Cabinet that can implement his agenda,' Hawley said, indicating Trump was behind Gaetz's withdrawal. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday that the pair had a good meeting the day prior. 

He had also urged his colleagues not to act like a 'lynch mob' ready to convict Gaetz before reviewing his merits. 

But when DailyMail.com asked for his reaction immediately after Gaetz withdrew, he only offered 'no comment' and quickly walked off.  

Within the hour his office had released a new statement saying: 'I respect former Representative Matt Gaetz’s decision to withdraw his name from consideration and appreciate his willingness to serve at the highest level of our government.'

'He is very smart and talented and will continue to contribute to our nation’s wellbeing for years to come.'

‘Holy s**t I didn't see that coming!' Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said sarcastically to reporters on Capitol Hill.

'Yes, he was the ultimate troll and people have the opportunity they can freak out over a thing and respond and if you want to do that ... you better to pace yourself though because it's not even Thanksgiving,' he added.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., only offered 'no comment' after the surprising news Gaetz had withdrew himself from the AG nomination. Graham's office later released a statement in support of the withdrawal 

Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri speaks with the press outside the Senate Chamber after Matt Gaetz announced he would drop out of consideration for Attorney General

It also came a day after the House Ethics Committee deadlocked on releasing a report into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use by Gaetz.

Reports indicate that Gaetz was not able to get the support of moderate Republicans who would be needed to seal his confirmation. 

Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell were thought to be among those Republicans unwilling to support the ex-lawmaker's appointment. 

'I'm pleased with his decision,' Collins told reporters Thursday. 'Certainly there were a lot of red flags.'

Gaetz and Vance were meeting with senators Wednesday to rally support for Gaetz's nomination

Longtime GOP Senate leader McConnell responded to Gaetz's withdrawal: 'I think that was appropriate.'

For Democrats universally applauded Gaetz's decision to drop his AG bid Thursday.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., told DailyMail.com the withdrawal was ‘a positive step’ and that ‘I doubt very much that [Gaetz] would’ve been supported by the Senate.'

'It was bad judgment just to suggest him,' Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said of Gaetz nomination. 

'The first lesson of proposing anyone for a position of responsibility is to make sure that there are no skeletons, and he had skeletons that were hidden in plain sight.'