Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday he will not be part of the new Congress when it convenes early next year — despite handily winning re-election earlier this month.
“I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz, 42, told “The Charlie Kirk Show” on Real America’s Voice in his first interview since announcing Thursday that he was withdrawing from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general.
“There are a number of fantastic Floridians who stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, with their public service,” added Gaetz, who teased that he would still be involved in public service from a “different perch.”
“I’m not taking off,” he told Kirk, later adding: “I am here to help save this country.”
Gaetz resigned from Congress Nov. 13, hours after Trump, 78, announced him as his pick to run the Justice Department.
The Floridian announced he was bowing out of consideration for the cabinet post Thursday, after it became clear he could not win over enough skeptical Republican senators to be confirmed.
Sunshine State Gov. Ron DeSantis must now announce the date of special elections to replace Gaetz and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), whom Trump tapped to serve as national security adviser.
DeSantis must also appoint someone to fill the Senate seat held by Marco Rubio, who is expected to resign early next year to become Trump’s secretary of state.