The saga of Matt Gaetz’s ill-fated attorney general nomination is the latest chapter in Washington’s long-running circus.
Gaetz, a firebrand Republican from Florida, withdrew his name from consideration today, citing the looming storm clouds of a House Ethics Committee report. While the details of the report remain officially under wraps due to a 5-5 deadlock vote in the committee, leaks have predictably poured out like a sieve, raising more questions than answers.
Here’s the play-by-play: President-elect Donald Trump, in his trademark style, decided to nominate Gaetz last week with minimal pretense of vetting. It was classic Trump—bold, provocative, and guaranteed to send the D.C. establishment into a tailspin. But the Senate GOP wasn’t having it, thanks to a handful of the usual suspects who’ve made a cottage industry out of sabotaging their own party’s agenda.
Gaetz reportedly pointed the finger at four Senate Republicans who were adamantly opposed to his nomination: Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, and John Curtis. Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on the irony here. Curtis, set to take over Romney’s seat in January, seems ready to step seamlessly into the role of GOP spoiler-in-chief. And McConnell? Well, his grudges are as legendary as his ability to obstruct. Meanwhile, Collins and Murkowski once again prove that being a “Republican” doesn’t necessarily mean standing with your own party.
I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
The Ethics Committee report, which Speaker Mike Johnson tried to suppress in its incomplete form, has been weaponized by the same factions that constantly complain about “division.” Convenient, isn’t it? The probe into Gaetz ended the moment he resigned from Congress, but that didn’t stop the D.C. rumor mill from working overtime to ensure he’d never make it past the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Gaetz, for his part, stepped aside to avoid becoming a distraction for the incoming Trump administration—a move that stands in stark contrast to the self-serving posturing we usually see from D.C. elites. Trump, ever the showman, thanked Gaetz for his efforts, but the message was clear: the establishment is still firmly entrenched, and it doesn’t care for disruptors.
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) November 21, 2024
I don’t think this is the last we’ll see of Gaetz, though:
Matt Gaetz is going to expose them all!!
Get ready
— TONY™ (@TONYxTWO) November 22, 2024
With Matt Gaetz stepping aside, President-elect Trump has now turned to Pam Bondi as his pick for attorney general. Bondi, the former Attorney General of Florida, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for taking on tough fights. Known for her staunch defense of conservative values, she gained national attention for her role in challenging the Affordable Care Act alongside other states and for her strong stances on consumer protection and law enforcement.
As Florida’s AG from 2011 to 2019, Bondi was a vocal advocate for combating human trafficking and cracking down on opioid abuse. With her proven track record of navigating contentious legal battles and her close alignment with Trump’s vision, Bondi represents a strategic and seasoned choice to lead the Department of Justice. Unlike the Gaetz nomination, this pick is likely to unify Republicans and set a steady course for the administration’s legal agenda.
