Matt Gaetz does GOP a 'great service' as he resigns from Congress: House Speaker

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has already resigned from Congress — a strategic move meant to help the party find a quick replacement— after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him for attorney general, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday evening, Johnson said he and Gaetz were classmates who came to Congress at the same time in January 2017 and served together for seven years — even sitting next to each other — on the judiciary committee.

"Some of you who cover judiciary know those are long meetings," he said, emphasizing "long." "I got to know Matt very well. I'll say this — everyone who served with him will tell you he's very intelligent. One of the most intelligent members of Congress."

Johnson added that Gaetz is also an "accomplished attorney" concerned about "lawfare" President Joe Biden's Department of Justice.

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"He's a reformer in mind and heart and I think he'll bring a lot to the table on that," said Johnson.

Moreover, Johnson said he "immediately" offered his resignation from Congress out of deference to House Republicans.

"That caught us by surprise a little bit," said Johnson.

Gaetz's reasoning, according to Johnson: "You can't have too many absences." Under Florida state law a vacant seat must be filled within eight weeks.

As such, Johnson has already called Gov. Ron DeSantis — who's in Italy at the moment — to "start the clock" on finding a replacement.

"We're going to talk first thing in the morning about this," said Johnson. "If we start the clock now, if you do the math, we may be able to fill that seat as early as January 3rd when we take the new oath of office for the new Congress."

He said Gaetz will have done House Republicans a "great service" by making the decision "on the fly."

"So we're grateful for that," he said, cracking a joke that he's aware Trump is "poaching all of your talent."

"We have an embarrassment of riches here," said Johnson.

Watch the clip below or at this link.