Editorial pages today are filled with cautionary remarks about Matt Gaetz, the shocking choice for attorney general by Donald Trump. Critics have labeled him as toxic, unqualified, and even accused him of sexual misconduct, demanding his rejection.
As a committed liberal and a proud Democrat, I strongly disagree with these sentiments. The Senate should not only confirm Matt Gaetz as attorney general but also approve Trump’s other controversial nominees: former Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Fox News host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, and Robert Kennedy, Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Why do I support these nominations? First and foremost, I align with Joe Biden on the importance of respecting the electoral process. This means two things: the loser concedes, and the winner takes office.
John Bolton and others condemn Gaetz’s nomination as one of the most alarming in history
While Donald Trump has never fully embraced the first rule, he does accept the second—whoever wins the election has the right to choose their team. Though we may dislike the choices, elections have consequences, and this is one of them.
A more compelling reason to confirm Gaetz and his associates, no matter how extreme they may seem, is that this is what the American public voted for. Voters knew they were electing Donald Trump, who promised a second term focused on revenge against his political opponents, carried out by loyalists. That was his pledge, and it’s what they wanted. It’s their decision, and we have no right to block it.
Is Gaetz qualified for the role? Absolutely not. With just two years of legal practice and minimal achievements in Congress, his most remarkable action was leading a rebellion against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
He was under investigation by the House for alleged sexual misconduct before being nominated for attorney general. His aim appears to be using the Justice Department to target Trump’s political rivals and employees he deems part of the “deep state.”
John Bolton, a former Trump national security adviser, described Gaetz’s nomination as the worst in American history. Conservative outlets like National Review have called it “terrible” and “foolish.”
Gabbard, Hegseth, and Kennedy also lack the qualifications for their proposed positions. Gabbard has no intelligence background, and two years ago, she was accused of spreading Russian propaganda by prominent Republicans like Adam Kinzinger and Mitt Romney.
Hegseth, with no military or security experience, was accused of sexual assault at a 2017 GOP event, though he settled with the accuser. Kennedy, a vocal anti-vaxxer, has no formal medical credentials.
Will these appointments lead to chaos? Without a doubt. Under Gaetz, the FBI would be dismantled. Those who stormed the Capitol on January 6th could be freed. Gabbard would likely estrange U.S. intelligence partners, increasing national security risks.
Hegseth could fire top military officials, and troops might patrol American cities. Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance could trigger a public health crisis, potentially leading to a measles outbreak. Buckle up. It’s going to be a turbulent ride, and many will suffer. But this is what the American people wanted: total chaos. If that’s the case, then let’s brace for it and accept that things could get even worse.
