The political fallout has begun after President-elect Trump’s surprise announcement that U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) would be his pick for Attorney General. The bombshell nomination, made via a Truth Social post on Wednesday, was met with immediate skepticism and resistance from Republican senators, many of whom are balking at the idea of confirming one of Trump’s most controversial allies.
“He will never get confirmed,” one anonymous Republican senator told Fox News bluntly. Another Senate source dismissed the notion outright, saying, “Ain’t gonna happen.” It’s clear that Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz has set the stage for what could be a bitter confirmation battle, even within his own party.
Gaetz’s nomination comes at a precarious time for the Florida congressman, who has been embroiled in a House Ethics Committee investigation since he spearheaded the move to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). The ethics probe has revived a slew of allegations against Gaetz, including claims of sexual misconduct, drug use, and accepting improper gifts — none of which have been substantiated publicly. Nevertheless, the cloud of scandal could cast a long shadow over his confirmation process.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) was quick to point out the potential complications, noting the ongoing ethics investigation as a major concern. “He’s under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics,” Collins said. “Obviously, the president has the right to nominate whomever he wishes, but this is why the background checks that are done by the FBI and the advice and consent process in the Senate, and public hearings are also important.” Her comments underscore the skepticism among moderate Republicans who may be hesitant to back Gaetz’s nomination.
While some GOP senators declined to give definitive answers, others were more diplomatic. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) said, “He will go through the nomination process just like everyone else,” while Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) dodged the question entirely, telling reporters, “I got nothing for you on that.”
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), who lost his bid for Senate leadership earlier in the day, pointed to the ethics investigation as a possible stumbling block but did not rule out supporting Gaetz entirely.
Meanwhile, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who has been a vocal critic of Gaetz in the past, took a surprising stance. He indicated that he might be open to supporting the nomination if Gaetz can handle the confirmation process smoothly. “I completely trust President Trump’s decision making on this one,” Mullin said, while also acknowledging the need for Gaetz to “sell himself” to Congress.
Newly-elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) weighed in on the potential use of recess appointments if the Senate deadlocks on Gaetz’s nomination. “We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible,” Thune told Fox News. “All options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments.”
Recess appointments, which allow a nominee to serve for up to two years without Senate confirmation, could become a key strategy for Trump’s team if the resistance to Gaetz’s nomination proves insurmountable. Thune’s openness to this option signals that the GOP leadership may be prepared to go to extraordinary lengths to secure Trump’s preferred cabinet picks.
As the dust settles, it’s clear that Gaetz’s nomination has set the stage for a fierce showdown in the Senate. With the Republican Party divided and the ethics investigation looming large, the confirmation process could become one of the first major tests of Trump’s second term and his influence over the GOP.
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