Donald Trump’s decision to nominate far-right Republican Matt Gaetz as attorney general sent shockwaves across Washington, including the president-elect’s own party.
President Trump announced Wednesday that he would nominate Gates to be the top law enforcement official at the Justice Department. This position is responsible for directing the government’s legal positions on important issues such as abortion, civil rights, and First Amendment litigation.
Republicans were baffled by the nomination and said the move was not on their “bingo cards.”
“I don’t think this is a significant nomination for attorney general,” Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told NBC News. “We need a serious attorney general, and I look forward to the opportunity to consider someone who will take us seriously. This was not on my bingo card.”
A right-wing firebrand, Gaetz was a thorn in the side of fellow Republican and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, ultimately leading a successful attack that ousted him from office.
He was investigated by the Justice Department in a sex trafficking case, which ultimately declined to press charges. He was also under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and other ethics violations.
Mr. Gates vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Amid consternation even within his own party, it is unclear whether Gaetz will be able to win Senate confirmation.
“Mr. Gaetz has a better chance of having dinner with Queen Elizabeth than being confirmed by the Senate,” Republican Representative Max Miller of Ohio told Axios.
Miller also told Politico that Gaetz had “zero odds” and was a “reckless pick.”
Former national security adviser John Bolton said Gaetz “has to be the worst cabinet nominee in American history.”
“Gaetz is not only completely incompetent for this job, he has no character. He is a morally disturbed individual,” Bolton said in an interview with NBC News.
One anonymous House Republican told Axios, “We wanted him removed from the House…This is not what we had in mind.” Another said: “Stunned and disgusted.”
The Democratic Party was also surprised by this announcement. Vice President Kamala Harris’ team said in a statement that Trump and Gaetz “will weaponize the Justice Department to protect themselves and our allies.”
Representative Ro Khanna of California argued that when voters decided to elect President Trump, they were not necessarily voting for these Cabinet nominations.
“People voted for Trump for lower prices and border security. I don’t think they voted for the appointments that they’re getting,” Khanna told CBS News. “He’s not going to move to the Center. He’s going to the MAGA base and we’re going to see if he’s going above and beyond his obligation to the American people.”
Kate Maeder, a California-based political strategist, said the announcement was not surprising, but she wondered whether President Trump believed Gates could make it through the confirmation process. . “It’s not surprising that President Trump rewards his political supporters,” Mader told the Guardian. “It’s a shock to many that he’s considering Matt Gaetz for attorney general. But is this a serious choice? I don’t think so.”
“In this political climate, Matt Gaetz definitely has a chance of being confirmed,” she said. “But I think that’s going to be difficult. Some of the more moderate Republican senators are already on record questioning this choice.”
