Donald Trump’s decision to nominate far-right Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General has sent shockwaves through Washington, causing unease even within his own party.
On Wednesday, Trump announced Gaetz as his pick to lead the Department of Justice, a role that would place him at the forefront of shaping the government’s legal stances on key issues such as abortion, civil rights, and First Amendment cases.
The nomination puzzled many Republicans, who expressed surprise at the unconventional choice. “I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for Attorney General,” said Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska to NBC News. “We need someone serious for this role. This one was not on my bingo card.”
Gaetz, a prominent right-wing figure, has often clashed with his own party’s leadership. He was instrumental in the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and has been the subject of investigations, including a Justice Department probe into alleged sex trafficking, though no charges were filed. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
It's unclear if Gaetz will be approved by the Senate because of growing opposition from GOP senators. "Gaetz has a better chance of having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the Senate," Republican Congressman Max Miller of Ohio told Axios, adding to Politico that Gaetz is "a reckless pick" with "a zero percent shot."
Critics, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, were outspoken in their disapproval. “Gaetz must be the worst nomination for a cabinet position in American history,” Bolton told NBC News. “He is totally unqualified and lacks the character needed for the role.”
Anonymous GOP sources echoed these concerns, with one House Republican telling Axios, “We wanted him out of the House … this isn’t what we were thinking,” while another said they were “stunned and disgusted.”
Democrats were equally critical. Vice President Kamala Harris’s team issued a statement warning that Trump and Gaetz “will weaponize the DOJ to protect themselves and their allies.” California Congressman Ro Khanna argued that this choice deviates from what voters expected. “People voted for Trump to address issues like lower prices and border security, not these appointments,” Khanna told CBS News.
Political strategist Kate Maeder remarked that the move aligns with Trump’s tendency to reward loyalists but questioned whether Gaetz could survive the confirmation process. “It’s not a surprise that Trump is rewarding his loyalists,” Maeder told the Guardian. “But Matt Gaetz as Attorney General? That’s a shock to many. Some moderate Republican senators are already questioning this choice.”
No comments:
Post a Comment