Concerns about Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) potential confirmation as President-elect Trump’s attorney general have been raised by Republican senators, despite their party holding a 53-seat majority in the upcoming term. While Gaetz will have the opportunity to argue his case for leading the Justice Department, several GOP members have described the path to his confirmation as highly challenging.
Support is growing among Republican senators for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) request to release findings from a House Ethics Committee investigation into Gaetz, which examined allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.
Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin calls for transparency on Gaetz ethics probe findings
Moderates like Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have expressed serious doubts about Gaetz’s suitability for the position. With just four Republican votes needed to block his confirmation, internal resistance appears important.
Some GOP members, such as Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), have openly acknowledged the obstacles Gaetz faces, with others predicting his nomination is likely to fail. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) stated outright that Gaetz would not secure enough votes for confirmation, a sentiment echoed by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), who acknowledged the strategic value Trump might see in the nomination but questioned Gaetz’s moral credibility given past investigations.
Cramer noted Gaetz’s legal expertise but argued his involvement in controversies undermines his ability to reform the Department of Justice effectively. Speculation persists that Trump’s choice might be a calculated move to shift attention away from other contentious nominees, such as Pete Hegseth for the Pentagon and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Further complicating matters, Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his controversial views on vaccines and public health, has drawn additional criticism. Senior Judiciary Committee member Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has called for a thorough review of the ethics findings on Gaetz, emphasizing that any evidence of criminal behavior would be highly relevant to the confirmation process.
Murkowski criticized Gaetz’s nomination, stating it fails to meet the standard required for such a critical role, while Collins expressed shock and anticipated scrutiny during confirmation hearings. Meanwhile, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the incoming Senate majority leader, noted that the nomination’s outcome would depend on a comprehensive review process.
Reactions among Senate Republicans have ranged from skepticism to outright rejection, with Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) acknowledging the substantial effort required to secure votes. Democrats, like Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), highlighted the political implications of Gaetz’s nomination, describing it as a deeply partisan choice by Trump.
Trump’s broader Cabinet picks, including high-profile and controversial figures, have already heightened tensions within the GOP. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) urged Republican senators to back Trump’s nominees, warning of potential primary challenges for those who oppose them. However, Murkowski pushed back, emphasizing the Senate’s constitutional responsibility to evaluate nominees independently and not simply act as an extension of the executive branch.
