Trump transition live updates: Pam Bondi named as new AG pick after Gaetz drops out

House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest of Mississippi told reporters that Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from attorney general consideration "settles any involvement that the Ethics Committee should have in any matters involving Mr. Gaetz."

He added that the withdrawal "should end the discussion of whether or not the Ethics Committee should continue to move forward in this matter."

-ABC News' Lauren Peller

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who earlier said he would not be the party’s Senate leader in the new Congress, announced Thursday he will be chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and the Defense Appropriations subcommittee when Republicans take control of the Senate in January.

Both positions are significant, given McConnell’s strained relationship with Trump.

The appointment to the Rules committee, which maintains the operating procedures of the Senate, is particularly interesting at a time when Trump has suggested he’s interested in pushing the boundaries of the Senate’s normal operating procedure.

In his statement, McConnell said, “Defending the Senate as an institution and protecting the right to political speech in our elections remain among my longest-standing priorities.”

McConnell could be instrumental in defense of the Senate filibuster or, potentially, recess appointments, which Trump has said he might use to circumvent Senate approval of some of his Cabinet picks, though party leadership still has the final say in these matters.

The appointment to lead the defense appropriations subcommittee is also significant for McConnell, who has said he sees advocating on behalf of U.S. self-defense and the defense of U.S. allies as a critical part of his role post-leadership. He could use the post to advocate for additional funding for Ukraine.

“America’s national security interests face the gravest array of threats since the Second World War. At this critical moment, a new Senate Republican majority has a responsibility to secure the future of U.S. leadership and primacy. I intend to play an active role in this urgent mission as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and I look forward to working closely with incoming Chair Susan Collins to accomplish our shared goal,” McConnell said in his statement.

-ABC News’ Allison Pecorin

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Matt Gaetz "has a bright future ahead of him" after the former congressman withdrew his name from attorney general consideration.

"I've worked closely with Matt for eight years. He is an America First fighter -- dedicated to ending the weaponization of the Department of Justice which, after the abuses of the Biden-Harris Administration, needs serious reform," Johnson said on X.

Vice President-elect JD Vance responded to Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from consideration to be attorney general, saying on X he is "extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process."

"He made his decision to withdraw entirely out of respect for President Trump's administration. Matt is a patriot and I look forward to seeing what he does next," Vance, who joined Gaetz while he met with Republican senators on Capitol Hill Wednesday, added.