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Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general has triggered questions among Republican senators, who are calling for a robust examination of Gaetz’s background and unresolved ethics investigations as they prepare for his Senate confirmation process.
The surprise nomination of Gaetz, known for his outspoken style and loyalty to Trump, raised eyebrows, as he has faced allegations related to misconduct, which were under review by the House Ethics Committee until Gaetz’s resignation on Thursday. The ethics panel had been probing Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct, drug use, obstruction, and other claims. With Gaetz’s resignation, however, the committee’s findings may not be released.
“We need to have a complete vetting of the nominees, not only to ensure qualifications but to protect the president,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a member of the Judiciary Committee, which will oversee Gaetz’s nomination. Cornyn even suggested the possibility of issuing a subpoena for the Ethics Committee report if it remains unreleased, emphasizing that senators need the full picture.
A source close to Gaetz said the congressman had been advising Trump on suitable candidates for the Justice Department, only to be asked by Trump to take the role himself on Wednesday. Trump described Gaetz as a “fearless fighter” and an “America First” advocate, citing his long-standing loyalty. Gaetz’s nomination marks a significant shift, as Trump’s second administration shapes up with a focus on close allies.
Several Senate Republicans, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), have expressed a need for transparency in Gaetz’s confirmation process. Collins, whose vote could be pivotal, said, “I am confident that whatever the information and findings are of the House Ethics Committee will eventually be brought out, either through the FBI background investigation or during committee scrutiny.”
Trump’s decision has also prompted mixed reactions within the GOP over Gaetz’s perceived lack of relevant experience and his controversial record. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) described Gaetz’s nomination as “not a serious nomination for attorney general” and called it “a significant challenge” to confirm him. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) echoed these concerns, suggesting Gaetz faces an uphill battle to win Senate support.
The Ethics Committee will meet Friday, and sources indicate that releasing the report on Gaetz will be on the agenda. Precedent exists for publishing ethics findings after a lawmaker’s departure, though it remains uncertain if this will happen with Gaetz. As Cornyn pointed out, any withheld details from the report may still surface during FBI background checks or Senate questioning.
Some senators, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, are prepared to press Gaetz during the confirmation hearings. “Matt will come before the committee, he will be asked hard questions, and we’ll see how he does,” Graham said. However, Graham also indicated skepticism over the Senate’s ability to obtain House records without a subpoena, adding, “I’d go ape s— if they tried to subpoena something over here.”
Gaetz’s prior controversies extend beyond the Ethics Committee. A 2021 Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking charges was eventually closed without indictment. In Congress, Gaetz spearheaded a campaign to remove then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), a move that some, including Cramer, argue led to unnecessary disruption within the House. “He really destroyed the House for several months … and ruined its reputation,” said Cramer.
Senate confirmation for Gaetz would require 51 votes, and with Republicans holding a slim majority, losing even a few GOP votes could derail his appointment. As scrutiny intensifies, Gaetz and allies, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, have started reaching out to Republican senators for support.
Ultimately, Gaetz’s path to confirmation remains challenging. If confirmed, he would oversee the Justice Department, a role that includes upholding the rule of law—a responsibility senators are already questioning his suitability for.
