As the Senate considers whether to ratify the nomination, a congressman is denounced as a “person of moral turpitude.”
Even the president-elect’s own party has been shocked by Donald Trump’s choice to choose far-right Republican congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
Gaetz was named by Trump on Wednesday as his choice to lead the Justice Department as the country’s chief law enforcement officer. This post oversees the government’s legal stance on important matters, such as civil rights, abortion, and first amendment cases.
This nomination baffled Republicans, who said it was not on their “bingo card.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, told NBC News that she did not believe the candidacy was serious for the position of attorney general. “A serious attorney general is what we need.” And I’m excited about the chance to think about someone who is sincere. I didn’t have this on my bingo card.
Eventually spearheading the successful effort to remove former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Gaetz was a right-wing firebrand who was a thorn in McCarthy’s side.
The justice department looked into him in connection with a sex-trafficking case, but they decided not to file charges. and was the subject of a House ethics committee investigation due to claims of sexual misbehaviour, drug usage, and other alleged ethical transgressions.
Gaetz has vehemently denied any misconduct.
It’s uncertain if Gaetz can secure Senate approval amid dismay even within his own party.
“Gaetz has a better chance of having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the Senate,” Ohio Republican Congressman Max Miller told Axios.
Additionally, Miller told Politico that Gaetz has “a zero percent shot” and is “a reckless pick.”
Gaetz “must be the worst nomination for a cabinet position in American history,” according to former national security adviser John Bolton.
“Gaetz lacks the character in addition to being completely unfit for this position. In an interview with NBC News, Bolton declared, “He is a person of moral turpitude.”
“We wanted him out of the House … this isn’t what we were thinking,” one unnamed House Republican told Axios. They were “stunned and disgusted,” said another.
It was a declaration that shocked Democrats as well. Trump and Gaetz “will weaponise the DoJ to protect themselves and their allies,” according to a statement from Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.
California Congressman Ro Khanna contended that when voters chose to elect Trump, they were not necessarily choosing these cabinet candidates.
Trump was elected by voters who wanted a secure border and cheaper pricing. Khanna told CBS News, “I don’t believe they voted for the appointments that they’re receiving.” The centre is not where he plans to relocate. We’ll see if he’s going beyond the authority granted to him by the American people when he arrives at his Maga base.
The revelation shouldn’t be shocking, according to California-based political consultant Kate Maeder, but she questioned whether Trump believes Gaetz would pass the confirmation process. Trump paying his political loyalists is not surprising, Maeder told the Guardian. Many people are surprised that he is considering Matt Gaetz for the position of attorney general. Is this a genuine pick, though? Not in my opinion.
“There’s no doubt that Matt Gaetz could be confirmed in this political environment,” she stated. However, I believe it will be challenging. On record, a few of the more centrist Republican senators have already questioned this decision.
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