Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., resigned from the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced.

Gaetz gave Republican Party leaders his resignation in the House of Representatives on the same day President-elect Donald Trump tapped him as his attorney general, Johnson said.

“I think out of respect for us he has given his letter of resignation effective immediately,” Johnson said. ‘That surprised us a bit. But I asked him what the reason was, and he said, well, you can’t be absent too often.’

The speaker pointed out that Florida state law gave the governor “approximately an eight-week window” to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives and that by doing so “we may be able to fill that seat as soon as January 3.” “

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Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks at the Republican Party of Florida’s Freedom Summit, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Johnson said he is already in contact with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about this.

Speaking to reporters after the internal elections for the Republican House of Representatives, Johnson said Trump had informed him earlier on Wednesday morning of his decision to wiretap Gaetz for the Department of Justice (DOJ).

He is the third House Republican Trump has tapped for his new administration, after picking Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., as National Security Advisor (NSA). ).

Trump’s two previous selections raised concerns about thinning out an already slim majority for the Republican Party in the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress.

But Gaetz’s early resignation likely eases some of those concerns.

Of the three elected members of the House of Representatives, however, Gaetz likely faces the biggest hurdle to getting the job.

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President-elect Trump has appointed Gaetz as his attorney general (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The NSA’s role has not been confirmed by the Senate, and Stefanik’s appointment has already received praise from both sides.

But several Republican senators have already expressed heartburn over Gaetz, an outspoken bomber who was previously subject to a yearslong DOJ investigation over allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a minor. The DOJ ultimately did not file charges.

“He will never be confirmed,” one Republican senator, who was granted anonymity to speak freely, told Fox News Digital.

A Senate Republican source said simply, “That’s not going to happen,” about the prospect of Gaetz’s confirmation.

The announcement came during the Republican leadership elections in the House of Representatives. One lawmaker told Fox News Digital that there were “audible gasps” in the chamber when the news broke.

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The current attorney general is Merrick Garland. (Getty Images)

However, when Trump nominated him, he praised Gaetz as “a very gifted and tenacious lawyer” who will “end the armed government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations and restore Americans’ deeply damaged faith and trust in the Department of Justice will recover’.

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Republican leaders in the House of Representatives, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, also praised the appointment.

Fox News Digital contacted Gaetz to confirm his resignation.