COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, likely ending the Buckeyes ’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game. Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) at Ohio State's 17-yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot. Ohio State (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn't move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines' fourth straight win over their bitter rival. “You come to Michigan to play this game,” Zvada said. “So, it's the biggest one of the year. It's the one that everyone looks forward to, and to be able to come in here and take the win, it's amazing.” This Ohio State loss in the “The Game” might have been the toughest of the past four because Michigan was unranked and wrapping up a disappointing season. The Wolverines were also playing without a couple of top players: tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson. The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for this rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info. Records — and point spreads, for that matter — rarely mean much when these two teams meet. “Our defense played outstanding," Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. "We held a high-powered offense to 10 points, 77 rushing yards.” The Buckeyes were off all afternoon. Howard was 19 for 33 for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and Jayden Fielding missed two field-goal attempts. The run game was hardly there. “It's hard, man,” an emotional Howard said. “I really don’t have much right now. I do know we're a two-loss team. We're going to get into the playoffs and make a run. But, I mean, this one hurts.” Mullings was Michigan's primary weapon. He rushed for 116 yards and the Wolverines only touchdown of the game in the first half as neither team could get much going offensively on the frigid afternoon. “They made plays, we made plays, so as the game wore on you could definitely, slowly feel them starting to lose confidence, lose that energy and lose that faith,” Mullings said. Howard was clunky all day. In the first half he threw an interception from deep in his own territory that led to Michigan's touchdown. He went out for a play in the second quarter to be checked for a head injury. After the game, he said he was fine. “We're very disappointed, and never thought this would happen right here,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We expected to win this game and go play in the Big Ten championship game.” After the game, Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield and were confronted by Ohio State players. A skirmish ensued as both teams pushed and shoved before being separated. Michigan: Did just enough and caught Ohio State on an off day. Ohio State: It's inexplicable how badly the Buckeyes played in their biggest game of the season. They would need No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana to lose later Saturday in order to make it into the Big Ten title game next week. There has been talk all season about how many of the Ohio State team leaders, including receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive end Jack Sawyer, chose to return for another year instead of entering the NFL draft because they wanted to beat Michigan at least once. Those players were inconsolable after the game. One of them, linebacker Cody Simon, was asked how he felt. “I just can't speak that right now,” Simon said. “I feel like we let the whole Buckeye nation down.” Michigan will wait for a minor bowl game. Ohio State, assuming either Penn State or Indiana wins on Saturday, will see how the final College Football Playoff rankings shakeout on Dec. 8. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Kickoff | Arsenal punish Sporting, Man City stumble at home
The Virginia Cavaliers , led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea , face the Virginia Tech Hokies and A ntwaun Powell-Ryland on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 (11/30/24) at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV , which is offering half off your first month. Here’s what you need to know: What: NCAA Football, Week 14 Who: Virginia vs. Virginia Tech When: Saturday, Nov. 30 (11/30/24) Where: Lane Stadium Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: ACC Network Live stream: fuboTV (free trial) , DirecTV Stream (free trial) *** Here are the best streaming options for college football this season: Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS. DirecTV Stream (free trial) : DirecTV Stream carries ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS. Sling TV ( $25 off the first month) - Sling TV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC. ESPN+ ($9.99 a month): ESPN+ carries college football games each weekend for only $9.99 a month. These games are exclusive to the platform. Peacock TV ($5.99 a month): Peacock will simulstream all of NBC Sports’ college football games airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Certain games will be streamed exclusively on Peacock this year as well. Paramount+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will live stream college football games airing on CBS this year. *** Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press: Virginia (5-6, 3-4 ACC) at Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ACC Network) BetMGM College Football Odds: Virginia Tech by 7 1/2. Series record: Virginia Tech leads 61-38-5. WHAT’S AT STAKE? The annual Commonwealth Cup rivalry game has a little more on the line this year as both teams need a win to become bowl eligible. For the Hokies, that’s a disappointing position to be in. Coming off a year where it won five of its last seven games – including a 55-17 annihilation of UVA in Charlottesville – and with most of its lineup returning, Tech fancied itself a dark horse for the College Football Playoff. Instead, it’s lost three in a row and might be without quarterback Kyron Drones. For Virginia, being a win away from its first bowl appearance under Tony Elliott has renewed enthusiasm about the direction of the program. The Cavaliers were picked to finish next-to-last in the ACC during the preseason. KEY MATCHUP Last week, Virginia gave up nine sacks of quarterback Anthony Colandrea to SMU and the Hokies allowed Duke to drop Pop Watson seven times. This game may come down to which offensive line can protect its QB the best. While both teams have struggled to block people, Virginia Tech has been far more successful at getting to opposing quarterbacks. Its 31 sacks are seventh most in the ACC, while Virginia’s 17 rank next to last. PLAYERS TO WATCH Virginia: WR Malachi Fields. A year ago, Fields scored Virginia’s only two touchdowns in the 55-17 rivalry loss, both in the second half. In what could be his final game playing for his hometown school, he enters the game ranked ninth in program history in receiving yards and needs two receptions to move into the top 10 in catches. Fields has caught a pass in 26 straight games. Virginia Tech: DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland. “APR,” who transferred from Florida before the 2023 season, is tied for the ACC lead with 13 sacks and leads the conference with 16 tackles for loss. He has twice had four sacks in a game, against both Old Dominion and Boston College, and is the first Tech player to post a double-digit sack total since 2005. FACTS & FIGURES RECOMMENDED • nj .com What channel is Virginia vs. Virginia Tech game tonight (11/30/24)? FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV, Channel for c Nov. 30, 2024, 2:00 p.m. Kansas State vs. Iowa State FREE LIVE STREAM (11/30/24): Watch college football, Week 14 online | Time, TV, c Nov. 30, 2024, 5:30 p.m. This has been one of the nation’s most lopsided in-state rivalries for over two decades now. Virginia Tech has won the last three and 18 of the last 19 games against UVA. The Cavaliers haven’t won in Blacksburg since 1998. ... Saturday’s meeting will be the first time since 2014 that both teams go into the game needing a win for bowl eligibility. ... It will be the seventh time in the past 12 seasons that the Hokies are seeking their sixth win in the contest. They are 6-0 in the previous instances ... Lane Stadium is sold out for Saturday’s game, marking the first time Tech has sold out every home game in a season since 2012. ... Against Duke, Hokies running back Bhayshul Tuten became the 17th player in program history to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season. ... Virginia safety Jonas Sanker, four times the ACC defensive back of the week this year, needs 11 stops to register his second straight 100-tackle season. (The Associated Press contributed to this report) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.AP News Summary at 3:19 p.m. ESTJimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’
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Russell Relishing The Chance To Fight At FrontA fast car, a dream for auto lovers everywhere, is often associated with a hefty price tag. However, with the right knowledge and a bit of savvy, you can still get your hands on a powerful engine and a reliable car for under $30,000. Despite the recent surge in auto prices, the thrill of speed is within reach for those who know where to look. Speed is a subjective experience. What's fast for a professional like Max Verstappen might not be the same for you, and there are countless ways to enjoy speed. Whether you're a track enthusiast, a city driver, or a fan of scenic routes, there's a speed experience for everyone. Our approach to defining speed is comprehensive. We consider various factors, from horsepower to acceleration to track times, to provide a well-rounded view of what "fast" means. We've scoured the market and selected 11 of the fastest cars you can buy for under $30,000. America's premier luxury auto-builder pivoted hard at the millennium. The rolling land yachts faded into history as Cadillac focused on high-performance models that would compete with Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus. Cadillac's new mission manifested in the debut of the CTS-V in 2004. Immediately making a splash in the auto world, the CTS-V sailed on to have a successful career as one of Cadillac's most potent models before it graduated to the CT5 Blackwing in 2019. The upshot is a used market brimming with powerful and stylish sedans. Cadillac reached into GM's bag of tricks and pulled out a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 sourced from the Corvette. The 2004 and 2005 CTS-V models got the LS6, while a mid-generation upgrade gifted the 2006 and 2007 models a 6.0-liter LS2 V8. Both engines made 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, but the 6.0 gets it lower in the power band. Reports of rear-end issues are not unheard of, but overall, the CTS-V proved more than a match for contemporaries like BMW's M5 and Audi's S4. Aside from rocketing from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds, critics praised its handling and ride quality. The first-gen CTS-V demands an average used market price of $19,690, and Classic.com reports a top sale price of $32,000, meaning there should be plenty of options under that $30,000 mark. Around the same time Cadillac turned to performance, Dodge's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team coalesced into a division with a firm mandate to pep up cars with a Chrysler or Dodge badge. Most famous for its work with Vipers, Chargers, and Challengers, SRT nonetheless cut its teeth on something that has flown a tad under the radar: the Chrysler 300C SRT-8. The 300 series has a pedigree stretching back to 1955, and Chrysler paid homage to that lineage with a stately sedan pushing serious power. Even before the Hellcat and Hellephant engines stole headlines, Chrysler still had the legendary Hemi V8, which it happily employed in the 2005 to 2010 300C SRT-8. The first-generation 300C received a 6.1-liter Hemi, sending 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. It is a little heavy, tipping the scales at 4,163 pounds, but that's what you get in a full-sized sedan. The SRT-8 pulled low 13-second quarter miles and a zero to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds. It might not handle like a Corvette, but there's no such thing as perfection. It's hard to find that kind of power in a full-sized sedan, especially under $30,000, but an average used market value of $21,146 puts it squarely in the tremendous value for power category. [Featured image by M 93 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC 1.0 Universal ] America isn't the only nation building speedy rear-wheel drive sedans. Korean automaker Hyundai has been climbing the quality ladder for years, and its Genesis G80 provides a ton of bang for the buck. Hyundai introduced its luxury Genesis line in 2017 as a mid-sized sedan meant to compete with the BMW 5-series, Cadillac CTS-V, and Audi A6. With stiff competition like that, Hyundai must put its best foot forward. The 2017 to 2019 G80 got a trio of engine options ranging in displacement from a 3.3-liter V6 to a 5.0-liter V8, but the Sport model offers the best mix of performance and price. The 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood of the Sport sends a respectable 365 horsepower to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Though Hyundai offers a 5.0-liter V8 version, Car and Driver's road test reports that the 2018 Sport outdoes the previous V8 version in nearly every acceleration category. Zero to 60 clocked in at 4.9 seconds, the quarter-mile passed in 13.5 seconds, and its turbos performed with minimum lag. Competing with established luxury and performance brands often means undercutting on price while offering near-peer performance, and that's precisely what the G80 Sport does, to the benefit of consumers. Kelley Blue Book pins the fair market range of the relatively new sports sedan at between $21,000 and $25,000. [Featured image by Snowfalcon cu via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0 ] Enough about the luxury sedan market for a moment. Let's take a look at a sports car legend. Chevrolet's Corvette has been giving drivers whiplash since its inaugural year in 1953. While known for aggravating supercar builders, the two-seater can be a great choice if you want a dedicated sports car. The enormous used market is the best thing about Vette's seven-decade run. The release of the mid-engined C8 in 2020 stole the spotlight, but previous generations still have a lot to offer. The current sub $30,000 sweet spot is the fifth-generation C5 Corvette built between 1997 and 2004. While special or premium specimens can demand six figures, the average price for one of these aging beauties is $26,616. For your money, you get a bulletproof 5.7-liter V8 filtered through an automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The base LS1 guarantees 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, while the 2001 to 2004 Z06 made 385 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque in an upgraded configuration. With a curb weight of around 3,300 pounds, the 1997 C5 zips to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and made it around Nurburgring from a standing start in 8:40. The Z06 might be tough to find under $30,000, but part of what makes Corvette great is the enormous performance aftermarket. With some garage time, your new 'Vette can take on the role of anything from a drag-strip demon to a weekend SCCA hero to a grand tourer. The word "Mercedes" conjures up thoughts of six-figure price tags and outrageous German performance. In the case of the 2010 to 2016 Mercedes Benz E-63, that's only half true. The fourth-generation E-class has depreciated significantly from the original near $100,000 price tag. Classic.com reports an average used market value of $28,406, and Kelly Blue Book pegs the 2016 S-model fair market price between $27,000 and $31,000. The 2010 E63 debuted at the 2009 New York Motor Show, promising 525 horsepower and 518 lb-ft of torque from a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8. In 2011, Mercedes reduced displacement to 5.5 liters but added twin turbos—the new configuration made about the same amount of power. Mercedes, always seeking to outdo itself, dropped a 2013 facelift on the E63, including a 577 horsepower all-wheel drive S-model. Whichever configuration you go for, the E63 AMG spells fast. Zero-to-60 times range between 4.2 and 4.5 seconds against a weight over 4,000 pounds. With a top speed of 155 mph, the luxury sedan is classy, competent, comfortable, and everything else you'd expect from Mercedes, bar for one thing: it's affordable. [Featured image by Tokumeigakarinoashimavia Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC0 1.0 Universal ] Street and Racing Technology is back on the list with its reinvented Charger. Dodge's supercharged Hellcat engine s dominate the modern muscle conversation, but unfortunately for Mopar maniacs, the Hellcat Chargers and Challengers seem to be the rare breed that doesn't depreciate much. However, for those who don't need 700 horsepower (and, honestly, who does?), there is another way. Dodge and SRT brought the vaunted Charger nameplate back from the dead in 2006. The first Charger since the turbo four-cylinder of the '80s, it was clear that Dodge meant to live up to its '60s reputation as a muscle-bound beast. Dodge tested the waters by building the sixth-generation Charger from 2006 to 2010. Two of the era's high-performance options enjoy relatively low prices. The Charger R/T, built between 2006 and 2008, has an average used price of $18,000, while the SRT-8 edition is just under $26,000. The 2006 R/T received a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 capable of 340 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, while by 2010, the upper echelon SRT-8 could produce as much as 425 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque via a 6.1-liter engine. Don't expect these prices to last. Hemmings estimates the high-performance mig-aught Chargers are nearing the bottom of the deprivation curve. Any longer, and they might venture into certified classic status, which usually includes a significant price hike. Buried under all the Hellcat business, these vehicles might be the best bang for your buck. [Featured image by CSmarlin via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0 ] It's hard not to love the Mustang. The only car of the muscle and pony era to enjoy continuous production since its inception, there are plenty of opportunities to score a performer for under $30,000. The fifth generation is the latest and greatest to sneak in under the $30,000 price. Built between 2005 and 2014, a mid-gen facelift divides the Mustang into two categories: the 2005 to 2009 S-197 I and the 2010 to 2014 S-197 II. The average S-197 II demands $31,000, so focus on the first half of the generation for the best value. The lower end of the spectrum includes the Mustang GT at an average used price of $22,635. With a 4.6-liter V8 making 300 horsepower, it might be one of the most sane vehicles on this list — and that's a good thing. A 5.2-second run up to 60 mph is more than enough for most, but if you're the exception, there's no shortage of special editions. Ford fans will be familiar with legendary modder Jack Roush . His cosmetic and performance packages have been optimizing Mustangs for decades. Even the upper-tier 430-horsepower Roush Stage 3 S-197 I Mustang averages under $30,000 at $28,656. [Featured image by Kpfoley via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 3.0 ] Toyota's offshoot brand combines the reliability of the respected automaker with luxury and performance. The first IS sedan was released in 2001. The "IS" stands for intelligent sport, which signaled Lexus' vision for a sedan that performs. When the second generation appeared in 2007, the well-received performance sedan had earned Lexus' F performance badge. Between 2007 and 2014, the second-gen Lexus IS-F quietly and competently offered world-class performance meant to compete with the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63. The second generation 2008 model year IS-F debuted at the North American International Auto Show. It sported a 5.0-liter V8 with 417 horsepower that zipped it to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. By the end of the generation in 2014, Car and Driver praised its handling around a track and low-end torque but gave it strikes for a suboptimal interior (for a luxury brand) and high MSRP at $63,600. The word timeless gets thrown around a lot, but the IS-F remains one of the best-looking Lexus models ever designed . A decade from its final form, the second-gen is still a pleasure to watch. These gems can be had for under $30,000. Classic.com puts the average used cost for the generation at $29,520, and Kelley Blue Book reports the lower end of even the final year of the generation at a hair under the mark at $29,692. Mitsubishi dominated the rally world for years through 10 generations of its all-wheel-drive Lancer . Times have changed, but the civilian version of the Lancer still packs some punch. The 10th and final generation Lancer Evolution X had a long production run between 2007 and 2016, leaving plenty of modifiable sport sedans for under $30,000. These modifiable aspects include the engine, suspension, and aerodynamics, making it a perfect canvas for car enthusiasts to personalize their ride. Small displacement was the name of the game for the Lancer. Its 2.0-liter inter-cooled turbocharged four-cylinder made 291 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque out of the gate. The X represented a significant change in Mitsubishi's approach to its rally car. An aluminum block replaced the previous iron block for a 26-pound weight savings. A new dual-clutch transmission sent the GSR model to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The Evolution X is a thrilling choice for those who want to add some excitement to their daily commute or indulge in weekend racing. Its smaller displacement engine and undeniable racing pedigree make it a canvas for customization without making an unmanageable experience for daily driving. The used market for the aging rally sedan reports an average cost of $29,247, which will naturally fluctuate based on mileage, condition, and upgrades. [Featured image by IFCAR via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC0 ] Chevrolet has a long lineage of building muscular cars, but its most enduring nameplate from the muscle era is undoubtedly the Camaro. Debuting in 1967 to compete with the Ford Mustang, Chevy cut it in 2002, only to bring it back in 2009 for two more generations. The final sixth generation ended production in January 2024, but we reached back to the fourth generation to find affordable power. The fourth-generation Camaro sneaks in under the radar as a powerful, adaptable sports car approaching future classic status. Debuting in 1993, Chevy offered the classic Z/28 and SS models with a 5.7-liter V8 making between 275 horsepower. When the "catfish" Camaros arrived in 1998 with a facelift making the front fascia look like the face of a catfish, those power numbers were in the 300-plus range. The 2002 SS got a 5.7-liter LS1 V8, making 325 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. One of the key strengths of the fourth-generation Camaro is its strong aftermarket support. With an enormous selection of performance parts available, maintaining and upgrading the Camaro is easy enough to make a great project. And with an average price of $20,760, you can use the savings to buy that sweet exhaust system you want, then blast some Everclear on the stereo and pretend it's still the '90s as you go for ice cream and hurl yourself down the drag strip on the weekends.
Significant milestones in life and career of Jimmy CarterNone
New York: Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalising contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. The suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a taxi. Credit: AP One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was quoted as saying on Saturday by the New York Post that authorities have identified the man suspected of killing UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson and are closing in on him. “The net is tightening,” Adams told reporters at a Police Athletic League holiday party in Harlem, according to the Post. He declined to name the suspect. This undated photo released by the New York Police Department shows a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 outside of a taxi. Credit: AP Police know the suspect ambushed Thompson at 6.44am on Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. United Healthcare chief executive Brian Thompson. Credit: AP Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analysed. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV. Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $US50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $US10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask. AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here .
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “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, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. 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. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matthew Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week that he did not intend to take the oath of office. There are plans for a special election in Florida for his seat. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hopes Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!