House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy opened up Wednesday about his decision to leave Congress and head back into South Carolina’s justice system.
In an interview with CNN’s Alisyn Camerota on "New Day," Gowdy said his decision came down to what he enjoys and where he considers himself to be most successful.
"I've been in public service for 25 years. I really enjoyed the courtroom. I haven't been good I don't think in Congress, and I don't enjoy it," he said. "I don't know that I've done anything wrong. I like fairness. I like process. I like facts," he continued.
"In politics it really is just about winning," he added. "If you're in the minority, your No. 1 goal is to become the majority. I was thinking last night when President Obama was elected several Republicans said their objective was to make him a one-term president. Not to do good for the country."
Rep. Trey Gowdy discusses his retirement from Congress: "I haven't been good, I don't think, in Congress and I don't enjoy it" https://t.co/yE0oMYCzt4
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 4, 2018
Gowdy announced in January that he would not seek reelection, making him among the dozens of GOP lawmakers who are calling it quits when their term ends.
“There is a time to come and a time to go. This is the right time, for me, to leave politics and return to the justice system,” he said when announcing his decision.
“Whatever skills I may have are better utilized in a courtroom than in Congress, and I enjoy our justice system more than our political system."