President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general dropped like a bomb on Capitol Hill and Republicans were immediately divided by the nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
“Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,” Trump said in a statement as he announced Gaetz as his AG pick “Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence.”
Radio host James Golden, aka Bo Snerdley, called it a “brilliant choice” in a post on X.
This has just blown the socks off the Establishment of both parties. Their dismay will immediately turn into a full scale war on Matt. Brilliant Choice!! On so many levels. The days of Lawfare – coming from DOJ – OVER. https://t.co/wDpzlE5MmC
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) November 13, 2024
“This has just blown the socks off the Establishment of both parties,” he added. “Their dismay will immediately turn into a full scale war on Matt. Brilliant Choice!! On so many levels. The days of Lawfare – coming from DOJ – OVER.”
Gaetz responded on X: “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
Despite Trump’s confidence in the Florida Republican, his many critics immediately spoke up and some even openly declared their opposition to the nomination.
My phone is blowing up with Senate Republican aides aghast at Trump’s nomination of Gaetz. Some quite confidently saying there’s no way their boss votes to confirm him. We’ll see.
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) November 13, 2024
“He’s under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics,” Sen. Susan Collins, said, according to Fox News. “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.”
PunchBowl News reporters posted a few GOP responses on X:
News: Susan Collins tells me she is not on board with Gaetz as AG.
“I was shocked at the nomination”
“This is why the Senate’s advise and consent process is so important. I’m sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr Gaetz’s hearing”
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) November 13, 2024
Tillis on Gaetz: “It’s gonna take a lot of work to get to 50” yes votes.
Tillis adds it will lead to “Popcorn-eating confirmation hearing” content
I’ll give him an honest look, Tillis adds
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) November 13, 2024
Axios reported that there were ” audible gasps by House Republicans during a conference meeting on Wednesday” when Gaetz was named.
“My reaction … was surprised,” Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest (R-Miss.) said. “His name was not someone that I had heard and, to my knowledge, any other members of our conference had heard,” Guest added.
“I think we have to consider any nominee by the president seriously, but we also have a constitutional responsibility,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters.
“He will go through the nomination process just like everyone else,” said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.
“Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the senate,” said Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), according to Axios.
Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), called Gaetz “a compromised AG” and said “there are better choices.”
However, many expressed their enthusiastic support for Gaetz who has been an outspoken ally of the former and future president, including Vice President-elect JD Vance.
The main issue with Matt Gaetz is that he used his office to prosecute his political opponents and authorized federal agents to harass parents who were peacefully protesting at school board meetings.
Oh wait, that’s actually Merrick Garland, the current attorney general.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) November 14, 2024
“I am excited to work with my friend @mattgaetz. There are few people I trust more to take on the deep state and end the weaponization of the justice department,” Texas AG Ken Paxton wrote on his personal X account. “Matt Gaetz has been a stalwart defender of liberty, and Texas has his back. Congratulations, Matt.”
We’ve stood together.
We’ve fought together.
We’ve won together.
So proud of my friend and America’s next Attorney General, @mattgaetz! pic.twitter.com/nqWBtzq6vB
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) November 13, 2024
Remember, Rep Gaetz booted Kevin McCarthy from Speaker of the House with the Motion to Vacate
This ultimately removed 1 of the biggest Swamp Rats from Congress entirely
Gaetz makes bold moves to drain the swamp and follows through
He’s exactly who we need as AG
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 13, 2024
