Can Matt Gaetz return to Congress or could Ron DeSantis make him senator? What's next for the MAGA firebrand

Matt Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress aft helium was tapped to beryllium Donald Trump's lawyer general, but present that helium withdrew his sanction from Cabinet information it raises questions astir his future.

The embattled MAGA loyalist promptly resigned from Congress aft President-elect Donald Trump named him arsenic his prime for apical instrumentality enforcement serviceman past week. 

But his information instantly received pushback from Democrats and adjacent immoderate Republicans owed to a House Ethics Committee probe into Gaetz for alleged intersexual misconduct involving a insignificant and illicit cause use.

His House exit ended the committee's jurisdiction implicit Gaetz leaving the findings of its probe successful limbo.

But present that the 42-year-old is nary longer up for Attorney General, it is not wide whether helium could extremity up backmost connected the hill. 

In his resignation missive from the existent 118th Congress, Gaetz said helium did not mean to instrumentality the oath of bureau for the 119th Congress which begins successful January. 

In November, Gaetz was reelected to different word starting adjacent twelvemonth with much than 66 percent of the vote. 

If helium is nary longer seeking to articulation the incoming Trump administration, Gaetz technically could instrumentality the oath of bureau travel January and articulation the caller Congress.

While that is simply a possibility, it could besides pb to the House Ethics Committee relaunching its investigation and revealing the perchance damning findings. 

The aboriginal of that study arsenic of present is uncertain aft the committee was deadlocked successful a ballot connected whether to marque it public.

Should Gaetz not instrumentality to the House, that vacant spot would request to beryllium filled done a peculiar election. 

Upon Gaetz' information announcement past week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had called for contiguous peculiar elections to capable vacancies. 

But determination are 2 different possibilities that could bring Gaetz backmost to Washington successful the caller twelvemonth if not to instrumentality to the House.

One little apt script is Gaetz could beryllium appointed to capable the Florida Senate spot being vacated by outgoing Senator Marco Rubio who volition person to resign upon his apt confirmation arsenic Trump's Secretary of State.

Some lawmakers person already signaled they are unfastened to the anticipation of Gaetz becoming a legislator including GOP Florida Senator Rick Scott.

But that determination resides with DeSantis, who is tasked with appointing Rubio's replacement for 2 years earlier a peculiar predetermination is held successful 2026.

There person been respective salient names already floated arsenic imaginable Rubio replacements including Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump. 

DailyMail.com reached retired to DeSantis' bureau for comment.

The different anticipation is that Gaetz could extremity up joining the Trump medication successful a relation that does not necessitate Senate confirmation. 

Past presidents including Biden person brought allies into the White House for specified roles aft their names were withdrawn from information for different roles aft it was determined they would not get the indispensable votes successful the Senate.

Gaetz could extremity up serving arsenic a elder advisor oregon successful the immoderate ineligible counsel capableness arsenic helium is simply a lawyer. 

In announcing his withdrawal, Gaetz did not awesome which absorption his aboriginal would take, lone that helium remains 'fully committed to spot that Donald J. Trump is the astir palmy President successful history.'

Trump besides gave nary denotation successful his effect to the information withdrawal that Gaetz volition beryllium joining is medication but said his loyal protagonist has a 'wonderful future.'

'I look guardant to watching each of the large things helium volition do!' the president-elect posted connected Truth Social. 

Gaetz' woman Ginger gave her ain cryptic response connected Thursday, penning 'The extremity of an era' with an representation of her and the erstwhile lawmaker connected the steps of the capitol, possibly signaling a instrumentality to Congress is not successful his future.