Republicans stunned after Trump picks ‘ruthless’ Gaetz as attorney general | republican

Donald Trump’s decision to nominate far-right Republican congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general has sent shockwaves throughout Washington, including within the president-elect’s party.

On Wednesday, Trump announced Gaetz as his pick to be the nation’s top law enforcement official at the Justice Department, a role that guides the administration’s legal positions on critical issues such as abortion, civil rights and First Amendment cases.

Republicans were puzzled by this nomination and stated that this move was not on their “bingo card.”

“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for attorney general,” Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told NBC News. “We need a serious attorney general. And I look forward to the opportunity to consider someone who is serious. This one wasn’t on my bingo card.”

Gaetz, a right-wing hothead, was a thorn in the side of fellow Republican and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and eventually led the successful effort to oust McCarthy from office.

The Justice Department investigated him in a sex trafficking case, but the department ultimately declined to press charges. And it was investigated by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and other alleged ethical violations.

Gaetz has vehemently denied wrongdoing.

Given the consternation even within his own party, it is unclear whether Gaetz can win Senate approval.

Republican Congressman Max Miller of Ohio told Axios that “Gaetz has a better chance of having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the Senate.”

Miller also told Politico that Gaetz is “a reckless choice” with “zero percent chance.”

John Bolton, a former national security adviser, said Gaetz “has to be the worst nomination for a Cabinet position in American history.”

“Gaetz is not only completely incompetent for this job, he also doesn’t have the character for it. He is a person of moral depravity,” Bolton said in an interview with NBC News.

An anonymous Republican member of the House of Representatives told Axios, “We wanted him out of the House… that’s not what we thought.” Another noted they were “stunned and disgusted.”

Democrats were also surprised by the announcement. Vice President Kamala Harris’ team said in a statement that Trump and Gaetz “will weaponize the DoJ to protect themselves and their allies.”

California Congressman Ro Khanna argued that voters did not necessarily vote for these Cabinet picks when they decided to elect Trump.

“People voted for Trump to introduce lower prices and a secure border. I don’t think they voted for the appointments they got,” Khanna told CBS News. “He doesn’t move to the middle. He goes to his MAGA base and we will see if he overstays the mandate he received from the American people.”

Kate Maeder, a California-based political strategist, said the announcement shouldn’t be a surprise but wondered whether Trump trusted Gaetz to get through the confirmation process. “It’s no surprise that Trump rewards his political loyalists,” Maeder told the Guardian. “It comes as a shock to many that he is considering Matt Gaetz for attorney general. But is this a serious choice? I do not believe that.”

“In this political climate, it is entirely possible that Matt Gaetz will be confirmed,” she said. “But I think it will be difficult. Some of the more moderate Republican senators are already on record questioning this decision.”