NORFOLK, Va. — Some Virginia lawmakers are reacting to the news that Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general following a federal sex trafficking investigation.
The Florida Republican's announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department.
Gaetz stated on X on Thursday that "it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General."
Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan reacted to the news saying, "I think it would be horrible to have someone with the allegation that we've had against Matt Gaetz. I think it is good that we avoid an attorney general who has these allegations against him."
McClellan is a democratic lawmaker who represents most of the area from Richmond to the North Carolina state line.
Democratic Senator Mark Warner reacted on Thursday during a media availability.
"I think it's frankly better for the president," Warner said. "I think that nomination was going to be very, very, very difficult... I was not sure Mr. Gaetz could have actually been confirmed by the House Republicans who worked with him."
Warner, who has been a Virginia senator since 2009, was informed of the decision as the news broke.
"You know, these are jobs that take serious people who've got a background and experience and have got a temperament, that knows how to manage and get things done. And so, if that information is true, I think it was the right choice," he said.