After much delay, the FBI found nothing to it, but Gaetz's enemies in the Kevin McCarthy camp recycled the claims into lurid news stories and a House ethics complaint that remained pending in order to provide a continuing basis to smear Gaetz. By resigning, Gaetz deprives the House Ethics committee of jurisdiction and ends the case so that the files can be released and his name cleared in the Senate confirmation process.
With that in mind, the Gaetz nomination also makes sense as a way to definitively and publicly refute the contention that the Department of Justice and the FBI can or should be politically independent. When publicly exposed, Gaetz's experience will show that both agencies are accustomed to abusing their power for nefarious political purposes and need accountability. As Attorney-General, Gaetz will be that accountability.
Great summary. Thanks.