Donald Trump's nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General is dominating an already charged political conversation, as the firebrand lawmaker has faced several controversies and harsh criticism even from within his party.
Analysts and pundits quickly reacted to the decision by the president-elect, highlighting that it was a result of two qualities that don't have to do with his legal knowledge: loyalty and willingness to confront.
"None of the attorneys had what Trump wants, and they didn't talk like Gaetz," a Trump adviser told The Bulwark's Marc Caputo, as reported by the POLITICO Playbook.
"Everyone else looked at AG as if they were applying for a judicial appointment. They talked about their vaunted legal theories and constitutional bullshit. Gaetz was the only one who said, 'yeah, I'll go over there and start cuttin' f---n' heads.'"
Axios' Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen provided a similar view, saying that on posts related to Trump's "suspicion of a hostile 'deep state' — he demands his own personal, controllable wrecking ball." "Gaetz, 42, is wrecking ball, head to toe. Oh, and arguably the most despised one among elected Republicans. But Trump doesn't care, advisers say."
Several lawmakers from both parties have criticized Gaetz in the past, including Republican Senator from Oklahoma Markwayne Mullins, who is facing backlash online after proclaiming his willingness to support the nomination even despite blasting the lawmaker in a recent interview.
In October 2023, Mullins criticized Gaetz's conduct in a live CNN appearance after allegations surfaced that Gaetz was involved in sex trafficking a minor. "There's a reason why no one defended him," Mullin said at the time, alleging that Gaetz showed off videos of "the girls he had slept with."
However, in light of Trump's election, Mullins seemed willing to let go of past "differences." "I completely trust President Trump's decision making on this one," Mullin said. "There's a lot of questions that are going to be out there. He's gotta answer those questions and hopefully he's able to answer the questions right...then we'll go through the confirmation process."
Gaetz was also in hot water as he was set to face a new development in a House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations of sex trafficking, drug use, and bribery. According to Punchbowl News, Gaetz resigned from his post just two days before the committee was set to vote on releasing the repot, described as "highly damaging." The report will now be likely shelved as he is no longer a serving member of the Lower House.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said that Gaetz's resignation was meant to allow a swift transition in Florida's 1st Congressional District, as Trump's nominations of several House members for administration roles have added pressure on the GOP's already slim majority.
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