President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Matt Gaetz, a Republican congressman from Florida, to be the next attorney general. This decision has infuriated Trump’s opponents and even surprised many people in the Republican party.
In a post on his Truth Social account announcing his decision, Trump wrote, “Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations, and restore Americans’ badly shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”
However, Trump can only nominate; Gaetz must pass through the Senate for confirmation.
If confirmed, he will become the top law enforcement officer in the United States. However, his confirmation is not guaranteed, as some Republicans have expressed shock and dismay with the choice.
Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said, “I don’t think Gaetz is a serious nomination for the attorney general.” Senator Susan Collins of Maine added, “I’m shocked by the choice.”
Other Republicans have also spoken out against Gaetz’s nomination. Ohio Representative Max Miller said, “Gaetz has a zero percent shot of getting through the Senate.” Yet another Republican Representative called it “an obvious throwaway nomination that has no chance in the Senate.“
Despite the opposition, Trump expressed confidence in Gaetz’s abilities.
Tough Senate Confirmation
Gaetz is likely to face a tough confirmation process in the Senate. He will have to answer questions about his past and his plans for the Justice Department.
At 42, the Floridan nominee is under an ethics investigation over claims of sexual misconduct, bribery, and drug use. He is also the focus of an unsubstantiated sex trafficking accusation involving a 17-year-old girl. He denies all.
Nevertheless, if the Senate goes on recess for an extended period, Trump could use a provision in the Senate rules to rush through Gaetz’s confirmation without a vote. This move would allow Trump to bypass the traditional rigorous confirmation process, which could lead to witnesses and further investigations and potentially delay the process.
Trump has already pressured the next Senate Majority leader to allow him to make recess appointments. “Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments… without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump oddly wrote in a subsequent Truth Social post.
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