TRUMP’S BIZARRE EMBRACE OF MATT GAETZ

Well, maybe not so bizarre. Donald Trump is, after all, the President-elect of the United States and is entitled to choose his cabinet. He expects a Republican-controlled Senate to advise and consent to his choice of cabinet members. Nothing in the Constitution precludes bizarre characters from being appointed United States Attorney General. We seem to have entered an era where farce imitating judgment is perfectly normal.

Edmund Jennings Randolph, whom George Washington appointed the nation’s first Attorney General, would be confounded by what has become or is about to become of this coveted office. And as for John Jay, the nation’s first Chief Justice and co-author of several Federalist Papers? Well, don’t even ask.

Trump’s embrace of Matt Gaetz does, however, raise an interesting question. Why in the world would Trump, with eyes wide open, make such an absurd appointment? Why would he embrace, indeed pursue, an immense controversy in the run-up to his inauguration as the 47^th President of the United States? Perhaps it is simply his way of demonstrating that he can do just about anything he wants to prove that he’s in charge and that no one and nothing is apt to stand in his way. If Matt Gaetz is confirmed, Trump will have dramatically punctuated that reality. He will have demonstrated that we are in a strange and reckless new world.

In elevating Gaetz, of all characters, to Attorney General of the United States, Trump believes he has found the perfect way to terminate any further investigation into his own behavior. “Matt will root out the systemic corruption at the DOJ and return the department to its true mission of fighting crime and upholding our democracy and constitution.”

During the just-concluded presidential election campaign, Trump promised retribution for the numerous investigations launched against him. Now, it appears Gaetz will be at the frontline of Trump’s efforts to harness the justice department to do his bidding.

Gaetz was reportedly facing potential exposure stemming from a federal sex trafficking and illicit drug-use investigation by a House investigative committee. Speaker Mike Johnson has requested that the House committee not release the results of its investigation, given that Trump has selected Gaetz to be our next Attorney General. You can’t make up this sort of political farce. It should be noted that Gaetz has denied these allegations, and he posted on X, formerly Twitter, that “lies were weaponized” to try to destroy him.

Trump surely knew how controversial, if not inconceivable, the Gaetz selection would be. Gaetz has no record of note as a lawyer, let alone as the nation’s chief prosecutor. One might conclude that the absurdity of the Gaetz selection is the very point of the Gaetz appointment. Assuming Trump prevails in this poke-in-the-nation’s-eye elevation of Gaetz to the highest prosecutorial office in the land, he will have demonstrated that there is little, if anything, anyone can do about how he plans to run things in Washington. And, in this current environment, he might be right.

All of the people in Washington who genuinely admire Matt Gaetz could fit into a telephone booth and still have room to invite others to the celebration of this great American farce. Gaetz is known for accomplishing little of note other than spearheading the drive to banish Kevin McCarthy from the Speaker’s chair.

So far, few have spoken up in Gaetz’s defense. Here’s a smattering of early reaction:

Rep. Don Bacon, Nebraska: “I was told growing up that if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.”

John Bolton, former Republican U.N. ambassador and national security adviser: “It must be the worst nomination for a Cabinet secretary in American history. I think this is something that falls well outside the scope of deference that should be given to a president when nominating members of the senior team. Gaetz is not only incompetent for this job, he lacks character. He is a person of moral turpitude.”

Senator Susan Collins, Maine, “Obviously, the President has the right to nominate whomever he wishes, but this is where the Senate’s advice and consent process is so important. I’m sure there will be many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing if the nomination goes forward.”

SEN. Kevin Cramer, North Dakota: “I think it’s a little bit of a test. It will take a lot of political capital to get him confirmed.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska: “I do not see him as a serious candidate. The President is free to nominate whoever he wishes. Our constitutional role in nominations is to provide advice. I don’t know if any of my Senate colleagues will advise that Matt Gaetz's name should go up, but it’s what Trump has apparently advanced. But, then, our role is to determine the consent end of it. Do we give our consent, or do we not?”

REP. Mike Simpson, Idaho: “That was about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time. I have a really hard time believing he could get through the Senate confirmation process. You never know.”

SEN. Thom Tillis, North Carolina: “I’ve got very few skills. Vote counting is one. I think he’s got a lot of work to do to get 50 votes in the Senate. Presumably, the folks who have put him forward have gamed that out. But I’m sure it will make for a popcorn-eating confirmation hearing.”

Then again, there’s Trump cheerleader and Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who, in fidelity to Trump, found uncommon praise for Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department: “Gaetz is one of the most intelligent members of Congress and a reformer in his mind and heart. I think he’ll bring a lot to the table.”

In an interesting turn of events, Gaetz resigned as a member of the House of Representatives as soon as Trump announced his decision to elevate him to Attorney General of the United States. Usually, members of Congress who receive presidential appointments resign shortly before taking on their new responsibilities. However, there is logic to Gaetz’s almost simultaneous and curious resignation coinciding with Trump’s announcement. The report of the House of Representatives investigation into Gaetz’s alleged misconduct, supposedly involving elicit and illegal behavior with underage girls, was due to be released. His resignation, in effect, terminates the jurisdiction of the House of Representatives into the matter. Presumably, that report will now never see the light of day. Presumably.

After all, who ever heard of unseemly information being leaked in Washington?  

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Recent podcasts have featured my commentary on Liz Cheney’s book, “Oath and Honor,” as well as my commentaries regarding:

U.S. Representative Jim Jordan,

Brian Kemp and Those Republicans of Georgia,

The Trump Indictments,

The Fox Corp Settlement,

The CNN Trump Town Hall,

The Hunter Biden plea deal,

The New American Cult of Personality,

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Rikki Klieman, Attorney, Network News Analyst, and best-selling author;

John Thoresen, Executive Director, Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center;

Katherine Gehl, co-author of The Politics Industry and founder of the Institute for Political Innovation;

Jazz artist Ann Hampton Callaway;

Outlander author Diana Gabaldon;

AI Data Scientist Lawrence Kite;

Ryan Clancy, Chief Strategist of No Labels;

Senator Barbara Boxer;

Senator Joe Lieberman;

and former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

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