Republicans stunned after Trump picks ‘reckless’ Gaetz for attorney general | Republicans

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

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

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

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

A right-wing zealot, Gaetz was a thorn in the side of fellow Republican and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, eventually leading the successful charge to remove McCarthy from his role.

He was investigated by the Department of Justice in a sex-trafficking case, although the department ultimately declined to press charges. And was investigated by the House Ethics Committee amid allegations of sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and other alleged ethics violations.

Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

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

Republican congressman Max Miller from Ohio said so Axios that “Gaetz has a better chance of dining with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the Senate”.

Miller also told Political that Gaetz is “a reckless pick” with “a zero percent shot.”

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

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

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

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

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

“People voted for Trump to have lower prices and a secure border. I don’t think they voted for the appointments they are getting,” Khanna told CBS News. “He’s not moving downtown. He goes to his Maga base and we will see if he exceeds the mandate he had from the American people.”

Kate Maeder, a California-based political strategist, said the announcement should not come as a surprise, but wondered if Trump trusts Gaetz to make it through the confirmation process. “It’s not a surprise that Trump rewards his political loyalists,” Maeder told the Guardian. “It’s a shock to many that he’s considering Matt Gaetz for attorney general. But is this a serious choice? I don’t think so.”

“In this political climate, it’s certainly possible for Matt Gaetz to be confirmed,” she said. “But I think it’s going to be difficult. Some of the more moderate Republican senators are already on the record questioning this election.”