In response to Donald Trump's handpicked AG nominee Matt Gaetz withdrawing under a mountain of scandals, DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd released the following statement:

"Donald Trump's disastrous Cabinet choices are already backfiring with the implosion of his 'totally incompetent' pick for attorney general Matt Gaetz. Picking Gaetz once again proved that Trump will stoop to any low to exact his agenda of revenge and retribution. As Trump goes back to the drawing board after an early L, it's clear he'll be focused on the same set of criteria: a dangerous loyalist who will always put Trump ahead of our justice system and the rule of law."

BREAKING: Ultra-MAGA loyalist Matt Gaetz withdrew his bid for attorney general after facing a mountain of scandals and members of his own party admitting he is "totally incompetent."

Matt Gaetz: "I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General."

Leigh Ann Caldwell, Washington Post: "McConnell on Matt Gaetz withdrawing from AG: 'I think that was appropriate.'"

Politico: "Donald Trump gets a brutal reality check"

New York Times: "Matt Gaetz's Withdrawal Follows Revelations in Sex-Trafficking Inquiry"

Politico: "Numerous Republican lawmakers told Donald Trump and his team that they believe his pick to be attorney general, controversial Rep. Matt Gaetz, has little chance of being confirmed, according to multiple Senate Republicans and people around Trump. And they're privately hoping Trump doesn't make them walk the plank. […]

"Knowing how toxic a character they are dealing with, Senate Republicans are worried about getting tarnished by the process. […]

"Nearly a dozen Senate Republicans refused to say they'd back Gaetz when prodded by POLITICO last night. Those who are speaking aren't being particularly kind."

Associated Press: "JOHN BOLTON, former U.N. ambassador and national security adviser:

"'It must be the worst nomination for a Cabinet secretary in American history. I think this is something that falls well outside the scope of deference that should be given to a president in nominating members of the senior team. Gaetz is not only totally incompetent for this job, he doesn't have the character. He is a person of moral turpitude.' […]

"SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska:

"'I do not see him as a serious candidate. The president is free to nominate whoever he may wish. Our constitutional role in nominations is to provide advice. … I don't know that any of my Senate colleagues advise that Matt Gaetz name should go up, but it's what (Trump) apparently has advanced. But, then our role is to determine the consent end of it. Do we give our consent or do we not?' […]

"​​REP. MIKE SIMPSON, Idaho:

"'That was about as big a surprise as I've had in a long time. I have a really hard time believing he could get through the Senate confirmation process. You never know.'

"SEN. THOM TILLIS, North Carolina:

"'I've got very few skills. Vote-counting is one. I think he's got a lot of work to do to get 50' votes in the Senate. 'Presumably, the folks who have put him forward have gamed that out. But, I'm sure it will make for a popcorn-eating confirmation hearing. Mr. Gaetz and I have jousted on certain issues between the House and the Senate. … There's obviously been a lot of disagreements between members of the Senate and Mr. Gaetz.'"

New York Times: "Senate Republicans reacted with alarm and dismay to President-elect Donald J. Trump's decision to nominate Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, for attorney general, and several said they were skeptical that he would be able to secure enough votes for confirmation. […]

"'I was shocked by the announcement - that shows why the advice and consent process is so important,' said Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, who has sometimes clashed with Mr. Trump. 'I'm sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing.'"

Axios: "One House Republican in the meeting described the conference's response as 'stunned and disgusted.'"

Gaetz - who Trump has praised as one of his "warriors" - wants to defund federal law enforcement, calling to abolish agencies like the FBI.

NBC News: "An unburdened Rep. Gaetz calls for abolishing the FBI, CDC, ATF"

"Minutes later, Gaetz, now serving on the select committee investigating the so-called weaponization of the federal government, suggested eliminating federal investigative agencies.

"'I don't care if it takes every second of our time and every ounce of our energy, we either get this government back on our side or we defund, get rid of, abolish the FBI CDC, ATF,' Gaetz said to applause."

USA Today: "At CPAC, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz calls for abolishing FBI, CDC, other federal agencies"

Newsweek: "Matt Gaetz Tweets 'Defund The FBI' Then Deletes It Amid FBI Probe"

Washington Examiner: "White House says Republicans want to defund law enforcement"

"Some Republicans, such as Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), have called to abolish the FBI and Justice Department altogether."

Daily Beast: "Gaetz and MTG Are Suddenly in Support of the 'Defund' Movement"

CNN: "Gaetz's antics have won him praise from Trump […]

"'They are our warriors,' Trump said of Gaetz and other House members at a September 2020 rally in Jupiter, Florida. […]"

Gaetz has faced numerous investigations over allegations of sexual misconduct, soliciting a minor for sex, and illicit drug use.

New York Times: "Matt Gaetz Is Said to Face Justice Dept. Inquiry Over Sex With an Underage Girl"

Associated Press: "Ethics probe into Matt Gaetz now reviewing allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use"

Politico: "Gaetz says he will no longer voluntarily cooperate with House Ethics probe"

USA Today: "Ethics Committee expands Matt Gaetz investigation as it looks into sexual misconduct, drug use allegations"

Politico: "House Ethics panel subpoenas DOJ for Gaetz records"

CNN: "House ethics probe of Gaetz seeks information from DOJ and woman who allegedly had sex with congressman as a minor"

ABC News: "Gaetz subpoenaed by woman he allegedly had sex with when she was a minor in defamation suit brought by friend"

ABC News: "Witness tells House Ethics Committee that Matt Gaetz paid her for sex: Sources"

Vanity Fair: "GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz Attended Drug-Heavy Sex Party With 17-Year-Old: Legal Docs"

The Guardian: "Matt Gaetz scandal deepens as associate admits paying 17-year-old for sex"

Gaetz is a loyal election denier who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election and backed a resolution to erase Trump's role in January 6.

Florida Politics: "A dozen Republican members of Florida's U.S. House Delegation ultimately voted against certifying President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory. Nevertheless, the attempt to block the win hours after pro-Donald Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol failed.

"[M]ost of Florida's Republican Representatives voted no on certifying slates of electors for both Arizona and Pennsylvania.

"Voting in favor of objections to both slates were … Matt Gaetz …"

Politico: "U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz will hold a press conference at 11:45 a.m. with 25 colleagues on a resolution 'reaffirming "President Trump did not engage in insurrection or rebellion against the United States."' The resolution has 60 cosponsors."

When Trump called his MAGA minions to provide emotional support while he was on trial, Gaetz said he was "standing back and standing by" - referencing Trump's infamous call to the Proud Boys, whose leaders later violently attacked the Capitol on January 6.

The Independent: "Matt Gaetz invokes Trump's infamous call to Proud Boys at trial: 'Stand back and stand by'"

CBS News: "'Stand back and stand by': Trump declines to condemn white supremacists at debate"

Reuters: "Trump, asked if he would denounce white supremacists and militia groups during Tuesday night's U.S. presidential debate, told the right-wing group the Proud Boys to 'stand back and stand by.'"

Associated Press: "Trump to far-right extremists: 'Stand back and stand by'"

CNN: "Trump's debate callout bolsters far-right Proud Boys"

New York Times: "Proud Boys celebrate Trump's 'stand by' remark about them at the debate."

Washington Post: "At least 10 men wearing the uniform of the Proud Boys, a violent extremist group, appeared outside the entrance of a [Trump] rally."

NJ.com: "Spotted along the boardwalk were a few people wearing T-shirts that read 'Proud Boys,' a right-wing group the Anti-Defamation League has labeled as extremist. Among the crowds gathered at the entrance to the beach awaiting Trump's arrival were three masked Proud Boys members."

REMINDER: Trump has repeatedly threatened violence against his political opponents, vowed to go after the "enemy from within," and pledged to be a dictator on "day one" of his new administration.

Trump: "I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within … totally destroying our country … [I]n terms of Election Day, I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think they're the big - and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by [the] National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen."

Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN: "Many people have lost American presidential elections over the last 230 years - Trump is the only one to say about violence if he loses 'it depends.'"

The Atlantic: "Trump Says He'll Be a Dictator on 'Day One'"

Associated Press: "Trump declines to rule out abusing power to seek retribution if he returns to the White House"

Washington Post: "Trump calls political enemies 'vermin,' echoing dictators Hitler, Mussolini"

The Guardian: "Donald Trump says he will lock up his political enemies if he is president again."

CNN: "Trump says 'war hawk' Liz Cheney should be fired upon in escalation of violent rhetoric against his opponents"

Trump: "Somebody would have to shoot through the fake news. And I don't mind that."

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