Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general, said Friday that he will not return to Congress next year. “I’m still gonna be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch.

Its end, though, came a little more conventionally. When gravity exerted its pull on that now-former congressman, Matt Gaetz, he reached for a tried-and-true excuse that has softened the landing of many nominees who failed before him, albeit for less shocking reasons. He used the D-word.

Matt Gaetz went from a reelected House member to an attorney general pick in President-elect Donald Trump's second administration to ultimately bowing out before a Senate confirmation hearing. Here is a timeline of the roller coaster of events for the embattled ex-congressman.

Matt Gaetz announced Thursday that he is withdrawing his nomination for attorney general. His decision came amid an investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.