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Matt Gaetz Withdraws from Consideration for US Attorney General Amid Controversy

By  |  November 21, 2024

Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for U.S. attorney general. The decision comes after his controversial nomination reignited focus on past allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Gaetz thanked senators for their “thoughtful feedback” following recent meetings. He expressed appreciation for the support he received but acknowledged the growing distraction his confirmation had become.

“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,” Gaetz said, referencing the team preparing for Trump’s next administration. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle,” he added, explaining his decision to step aside from the nomination.

Gaetz’s nomination had drawn attention due to prior investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims that he had engaged in improper behavior in 2017 when the accuser was a minor. The Department of Justice and the House Ethics Committee had previously looked into these claims.

The withdrawal came shortly after CNN reported that a woman had accused Gaetz of sexual encounters in 2017 when she was 17 years old, prompting the ethics panel’s investigation. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including the allegations involving an underage individual.

Trump, responding later on Truth Social, praised Gaetz’s decision. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote.

Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump transition team, affirmed the President-elect’s commitment to selecting an attorney general who would “strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system,” according to Reuters.

This marks the end of Gaetz’s bid for the role, with the focus now turning to Trump’s search for a suitable candidate to head the Department of Justice.

Source: Reuters

Trump-Backed FTC Initiative Targets Regulatory Barriers to Market Entry Trump-Backed FTC Initiative Targets Regulatory Barriers to Market Entry

Trump-Backed FTC Initiative Targets Regulatory Barriers to Market Entry

By  |  April 15, 2025

In a move to address concerns over regulatory barriers that may hinder economic growth, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a public inquiry aimed at assessing how federal regulations influence competition in the U.S. economy. This effort follows President Trump’s Executive Order on Reducing Anticompetitive Regulatory Barriers, which directs federal agencies to root out rules that may limit market entry or stifle innovation.

According to a statement from the FTC, the agency is seeking to identify federal regulations that unfairly protect dominant companies, prevent new players from entering the market, or otherwise disrupt fair competition. The inquiry will be part of a broader push by the Trump-Vance administration to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles and invigorate the private sector.

Per the Executive Order, the FTC will play a central role in advancing the administration’s economic agenda, which emphasizes the removal or reform of outdated rules that may favor entrenched interests. The Commission noted that certain regulations may be deterring entrepreneurship and innovation, ultimately hampering the broader economy.

Read more: Democratic FTC Commissioners Sue Trump Administration Over Dismissal

“Regulations that reduce competition, entrepreneurship, and innovation can hamper the American economy,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. “These need to be eliminated or modified to revitalize a competitive market.”

As part of the inquiry, the FTC has issued a Request for Information (RFI), inviting feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, including consumers, workers, start-ups, investors, and academics. According to a statement from the agency, the goal is to better understand which regulations may be inadvertently or deliberately creating competitive disadvantages.

Public comments can be submitted through Regulations.gov and must be received no later than May 27, 2025. All submissions will be made publicly available on the site. The FTC emphasized that this initiative is a step toward fostering a more dynamic and inclusive economic environment by reducing artificial barriers to competition.

Source: FTC