The choice comes as drafts of the California redistricting map show Nunes would have to either run in a different district or run for reelection in a district that changed from favoring former President Donald Trump by 5 points to shifting in the direction of President Joe Biden by 9 points, according to the Cook Political Report analysis.
The San Joaquin Valley Sun first reported Nunes's intended leave."Recently, I was presented with a new opportunity to fight for the most important issues I believe in. I'm writing to let you know I've decided to pursue this opportunity, and therefore I will be leaving the House of Representatives at the end of 2021," Nunes said in an email to constituents on Monday. "I will deeply miss being your congressman. It's been the honor of a lifetime to represent you, and I thank you for the trust you put in me through all these years. It's also been my privilege, as Chairman and then Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, to meet with members of our armed services and our intelligence agencies throughout the world — I'm awed by the sacrifices these patriots make in service to their nation."
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Nunes's leaving marks a significant shake-up of Republican leadership on the House Intelligence Committee and Congress as a whole. He was in line to be chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee if Republicans win back the majority in 2022.
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"Rest assured, I have not, by any means, given up our collective fight — I'll just be pursuing it through other means," Nunes said.
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First elected to Congress in 2002, Nunes was a top congressional defender of Trump while he was in office.
Trump Media & Technology Group said in a statement Monday that Nunes would begin as CEO in January 2022.
"Congressman Devin Nunes is a fighter and a leader. He will make an excellent CEO of TMTG," Trump said in the statement. "Devin understands that we must stop the liberal media and Big Tech from destroying the freedoms that make America great. America is ready for TRUTH Social and the end to censorship and political discrimination."
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"The time has come to reopen the Internet and allow for the free flow of ideas and expression without censorship," Nunes added in the statement. "The United States of America made the dream of the Internet a reality and it will be an American company that restores the dream. I'm humbled and honored that President Trump has asked me to lead the mission and the world class team that will deliver on this promise."
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