And the cabinet announcements were going so well up until now.
I will admit that up until about 20 minutes before I began writing this, I’d been quite pleased about the appointments Trump has been announcing for his new cabinet: Representative Mike Waltz as national security adviser, former Trump director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe at the CIA, Elise Stefanik representing America (and putting antisemites in their place) at the United Nations, Lee Zeldin to the EPA, and particularly Marco Rubio as secretary of state — you could be hard-core MAGA, a Trump skeptic, or even a center-left Democrat and rate every single pick as anywhere from “perfectly cromulent” to “great.” (I particularly look forward to Rubio finally returning seriousness to U.S. foreign policy in the western hemisphere. Sorry Maduro, it’s about to become a really rough four years to be a dictator.)
Some have rolled their eyes at the idea of Pete Hegseth running the vast bureaucracy of the Pentagon — and the generals will indeed immediately try to undermine his authority like piranhas furiously skeletonizing a cow — but I tend to think that a man closer to the enlisted ranks than the pompously entrenched brass is the viewpoint that the Department of Defense needs. I was even willing to accept Trump naming Democrat-turned-Republican Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, because (1) war skeptics authentically deserve a voice at the table (sorry, Liz) and Gabbard will not automatically melt into the Beltway “Blob” of consensus; (2) the ODNI ought to be abolished wholesale anyway as the post-9/11 monstrosity it’s always been.
However, just as the list of Trump’s cabinet picks had begun to spark some cautious optimism, a bombshell was dropped: Matt Gaetz, the firebrand Florida congressman, was tapped to be the next Attorney General of the United States.
To say that this is a mistake would be an understatement. If anything, Gaetz’s nomination is an affront to the very office he would occupy, and it exposes the limits of Trump’s judgment when it comes to filling the nation’s most crucial positions.
A Shocking Pick
Matt Gaetz has made a name for himself as one of the most provocative and polarizing figures in contemporary American politics. He’s an unrepentant Trump loyalist, known for his fiery rhetoric, his endless defense of the former president, and his role in many of the most chaotic and damaging moments in recent Republican politics. But Gaetz’s notoriety extends beyond partisan battles. He is also mired in serious allegations that go to the heart of his fitness for public office.
First, let’s put aside the fact that Gaetz has little to no relevant experience for the role of Attorney General. The man, at best, practiced law for a mere two years in a small law firm in Florida, and even that was under questionable circumstances, as his father arranged the job for him. Gaetz’s brief legal career should have disqualified him from consideration as the nation’s top law enforcement official on its own. The Attorney General is not only responsible for enforcing the law, but also for overseeing the Department of Justice’s civil and criminal investigations, representing the United States in legal matters, and providing guidance on legal interpretations that affect national security and the rule of law. Gaetz simply does not possess the qualifications necessary for such a daunting responsibility.
The Elephant in the Room: Allegations of Abuse
While many of Gaetz’s political antics could be dismissed as the antics of a career provocateur, there is one glaring issue that disqualifies him from any position of serious responsibility: his history of alleged sexual misconduct. Gaetz’s involvement in a federal investigation—reportedly into sex trafficking and the exploitation of minors—casts a long, dark shadow over his nomination. While the investigation did not result in charges, Gaetz’s actions and the nature of the allegations have been well-documented, including his bragging about relationships with young women in conversations with colleagues.
Gaetz’s behavior reportedly included sharing explicit images and boasting about his relationships with underage girls, and he was under formal investigation by both federal authorities and the House Ethics Committee. These are not minor scandals; they speak to an alleged pattern of behavior that is deeply troubling, especially for someone whose responsibility would be to enforce the law. For Trump to even entertain Gaetz as a candidate for the nation’s highest legal office is not only an insult to the office itself but also a grievous error of judgment.
Let’s be clear: The role of Attorney General is not a position to be filled by a man with such a checkered past. If Gaetz’s alleged behavior is as it appears—predatory and exploitative—then he should be facing serious legal consequences, not being promoted to a position of power.
A Divisive Appointment
Beyond the obvious personal failings, Gaetz’s selection as Attorney General is also a strategic disaster for Trump. A Senate confirmation battle for Gaetz would be ugly, divisive, and ultimately damaging to Trump’s standing with both the Senate and the public. Gaetz’s deep involvement in the failed coup against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, his disruptive role in Congress, and his public image as a bomb-thrower make it virtually impossible for him to garner broad support in the Senate. Even Senate Republicans who have largely stayed in Trump’s corner may balk at the prospect of confirming someone with Gaetz’s baggage.
If Gaetz were somehow confirmed, it would signal a catastrophic loss of spine by Senate Republicans and forever tarnish the reputation of the Department of Justice. It’s difficult to imagine any circumstance under which his confirmation could proceed without significant pushback, and if Trump were to attempt to force Gaetz’s appointment through by circumventing the Senate’s authority, it would set up a dangerous constitutional crisis.
The Reality of Gaetz's Nomination
There is also the possibility that Gaetz’s nomination is a deliberate maneuver by Trump—an attempt to create a situation where the Senate must reject him, laying the groundwork for a future candidate to take the position instead. This is the kind of 4-D chess Trump is sometimes accused of playing, though he rarely actually plays it effectively. Even if that’s the case, the fact that Gaetz is even being considered is a sign that Trump has lost his political bearings.
Ultimately, Gaetz’s appointment to any role of real responsibility within the Trump administration is a bridge too far. His record, his behavior, and his lack of qualifications make him utterly unfit to serve as Attorney General. If Trump seriously expects Senate Republicans to back Gaetz, or if he somehow forces through this nomination, it will be a massive miscalculation, both politically and morally.
Conclusion
While Trump’s cabinet picks initially offered a glimpse of hope for a second term that could restore some semblance of seriousness to U.S. foreign and domestic policy, the nomination of Matt Gaetz to the position of Attorney General is a stark reminder of the dangers of Trump’s unchecked loyalty to figures who reflect his own base instincts over competence or decency. Gaetz may be a loudmouth provocateur, but he is no attorney general. He has proven himself to be a man who should be under investigation, not in charge of enforcing the law.
