Former President Trump shocked and appalled some Republican lawmakers on Wednesday by announcing plans to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general.
Why it matters: Republican reaction to even Trump’s most controversial nominations has been muted so far, but placing the scandal-prone right-winger in the nation’s highest law enforcement role is a step too far for many.
“We wanted him out of the House … this isn’t what we were thinking,” quipped one House Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about Trump’s decision.
What we’re hearing: Trump’s announcement was met with audible gasps by House Republicans during a conference meeting on Wednesday afternoon, multiple sources in the room told Axios.
One House Republican in the meeting described the conference’s response as “stunned and disgusted.”
What they’re saying: “Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the senate,” said Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), referring to the British monarch who died in 2022.
Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), noting that Gaetz is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, said he would be “a compromised AG” and that “there are better choices.”
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she was “shocked” by the pick: “This shows why the advice and consent process is so important and I’m sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing.”
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said Gaetz has “got his work really cut out for him” to get confirmed.
Yeah yeah I’m sure they will do all sorts of gasping and then confirm him anyway. Despite what they say the lot of them are just Trump sycophants at this point.
You’ve seen how many people have railed against Trump only to turn right back around and toss his salad. Trump has dirt on these people, like mutually assured destruction level dirt.
That’s what is ridiculous to me. The consequences are literally that they might lose their job. Yeah it sucks for them a little bit, but the alternative is destroying our fucking country. It’s amazing how many of them choose to bend the knee time and time again.
Call your Senators, give them your name, zip code, and briefly tell them you oppose these noms. It DOES make a difference! Democracy doesn’t stop at the ballot box, it has to be fought for
Unless you live in a red state, it doesn’t matter. It requires a simple majority to confirm.
It does matter if you want to counter the talking heads all saying the election loss is because of progressives. Dem senators need to hear another voice than that and be pushed to not roll over like the special counsel
I’m pretty over believing stories about Republicans showing regret about Trump and his picks/actions. I’m 100% this is liberal media copium. Republicans love his ass and every asshole he hires
On the other hand I can see republican politicians pretending to be stunned in order to say one thing and do another. They get to pretend they don’t like it for the political game and then actually support it.
I feel like we’re going to see a lot of “Republicans ashamed of Trump” headlines while they sign their names in blood on everything he asks for.
If they wanted to, they could simply choose not to certify the election results or they could impeach and vote to remove him.
They won’t. They’re all complicit.
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said Gaetz has “got his work really cut out for him” to get confirmed.
Trump has already demanded that the Senate go into immediate recess so he can avoid the confirmation process altogether and just appoint them through recess appointments.
It will go the exact same way it did during Trump’s first term: Trump will send out a mean tweet and any dissenters will fall in line. Worked 100% of the time last time.
Yep. I’m curious to see how shocked, stunned and disgusted they really are.
They are going to be so shocked, stunned, and disgusted that they’re going to march right into the Senate chamber and vote the way he fucking told them to vote, but with a really big frowny face. I mean, it’s the strongest message that the United States Congress could possibly send to him. What else are they supposed to do? Vote…against… him? Criticize him…publicly? He might send out a mean tweet on both Twitter and Trump Social. These are politicians we’re talking about here! With cushy jobs and six figure salaries and staff people who have staff people. They can’t handle two mean tweets in one day!
They are all putting on their lip balm and puckering up to kiss his rotten asshole.
Sure.
He’ll be confirmed with no problem. They always give Trump whatever he wants.
Want to win a chance at maybe having power? Enter the contest by falling in line and kissing the ring.
