With Gaetz Nominated for Attorney General, Trump’s Battle with the Establishment Escalates
Gaetz’s nomination as AG isn’t just filling a seat—it’s a declaration of war against Washington’s status quo, with allegations and an ethics probe still looming.
As a political junkie, I’ve always followed political appointments after elections. I see it as extended post-game coverage, but this time, it feels different—more like a draft pick for a team rebuilding its lineup, giving us a sneak peek into the upcoming season. Trump is playing this game masterfully, like any great entertainer.
While there have been a few picks that garnered attention and criticism from the media and those who cling to the establishment like a security blanket, no pick has created more of a head-spin than the firebrand Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, Esq. I like to add the “Esq.” as an homage to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, except Gaetz is actually an attorney.
An Audible Gasp Reactions from the Halls of Congress
At the time of the announcement, several House Republicans were meeting behind closed doors, and reports indicate an audible gasp in the room when they heard Trump had picked Gaetz.
I believe it—I did the exact same thing.
Sitting at my desk, with the TV on in the background, waiting for the next draft pick to drop, I gasped when I heard Gaetz had been nominated as AG. My jaw dropped, and my husband came running into my office from his, which is adjacent to mine. We were stunned!
Once the initial shock faded, reactions quickly turned to the uphill battle Gaetz would face for confirmation. Outlets like Punchbowl News report that "many Senate Republicans see no path to confirmation for Gaetz." But if my years of obsessively following the media and this election have taught me anything, it’s to lean toward the opposite of the accepted narrative. So, don’t count Gaetz out just yet.
“I was shocked at the nomination. This is why the Senate’s advice and consent process is so important. I’m sure there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing.” - Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
“I’m all about counting votes, and I would probably think he’s got some work cut out for him.” -Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)
“The president is going to make his nominations, we’re going to have hearings in the Senate, and then we’ll be voting to get the president’s Cabinet in place as quickly as possible.” -Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso, soon to be majority whip
Interestingly, a few voices are breaking from the chorus, including Robert Costa of CBS News. While Costa is no fan of Trump, he’s well-sourced in both Democratic and Republican circles, and he reports hearing privately from a few key GOP senators: "Yes, they’d prefer to avoid a messy fight over Gaetz. Not their favorite. But they also don’t have a lot of energy for pushing back. Trump runs the show, they say. If Gaetz can reassure them, they’re open to backing him."
Political conspiracy theorists and those who love intrigue speculate that Trump may be strategically dangling Gaetz as a "sacrificial lamb" to secure other confirmations. But Trump values and rewards loyalty, and Gaetz has been loyal to Trump and has publicly spoken against the Biden DOJ’s weaponization of the justice system against Trump.
Gaetz's intolerance for the weaponization of the DOJ was clearly evident during his exchange with Merrick Garland, who was called to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. In June, Gaetz criticized Attorney General Merrick Garland for the 'justice' system's coordinated efforts to target Donald Trump.
Given Trump’s known disdain for DOJ’s corruption, it’s not surprising that his nominee is someone who shares his skepticism of the DOJ.
Why Gaetz’s Nomination Stirs Controversy
Let’s be frank: Gaetz looks like a cartoon. The moussed hair, the eyebrows, the Botox, and the smirk—they’re all part of his bold brand. To his credit, he’s aware that he is viewed as a caricature and embraces it. But aside from his cartoonish style, why does Gaetz trigger such visceral reactions? What makes his nomination so controversial?
Gaetz vs. the Establishment
Politics is about making friends, playing nice, kissing the ring, and scratching (or stabbing) backs. Gaetz, however, will punch you straight in the face and isn’t interested in kissing rings or currying favor with the establishment. He’s a favorite of the anti-establishment MAGA coalition which remains a minority in Congress. And in order to get things done and get notice the coalition needed someone who is willing to fight because like it or not, the establishment still holds more influence than the anti-establishment MAGA movement.
MAGA may be louder and more visible, but the establishment has more votes. The question is whether they’re willing to oppose Trump and his base. Though fewer, Trump’s supporters are relentless in applying pressure and shaping optics. Ultimately, opposition to Gaetz would be opposition to Trump. Regardless expect pushback, especially from Democrats, possibly with leaks or opposition research aimed directly at Gaetz to derail his nomination. But love him or hate him, Gaetz is skilled at navigating these waters and unlikely to back down.
No event made him fewer friends than the House Speaker battle, which Gaetz spearheaded and ultimately used to weaken Kevin McCarthy’s grip on power—foreshadowing McCarthy’s eventual downfall. We all remember that grueling, week-long standoff in January 2023 that required 15 rounds of voting—the most since the Civil War—before McCarthy finally secured the Speaker’s gavel.
Tensions were high, and Gaetz was at the center of the chaos. On the 14th ballot, with McCarthy still one vote short, Gaetz cast a “present” vote, leaving McCarthy hanging. That was enough to spark a near-brawl right there on the House floor. Rep. Mike Rogers, furious at Gaetz’s maneuvering, stormed over and had to be physically restrained by Rep. Richard Hudson to keep things from turning into a full-blown fistfight.
Gaetz’s public reasoning for opposing McCarthy was clear: he saw McCarthy as an obstructionist to the MAGA movement and believed he was too willing to compromise with Democrats. Gaetz didn’t let up, and after months of escalating tensions, he led the charge in October 2023 to finally push McCarthy out of the Speaker’s chair. Gaetz filed a motion to vacate the speakership, accusing McCarthy of breaking promises made to conservative hard-liners—especially regarding spending cuts and not holding the line against Democratic priorities. With the backing of a handful of Republicans and every Democrat, Gaetz’s motion passed, ending McCarthy’s speakership in a historic vote.
Vendetta or Promises Broken?
This battle, which nearly escalated to violence and ultimately led to McCarthy's removal, garnered Gaetz few allies.
While Gaetz has publicly claimed that broken promises motivated his motion to vacate against McCarthy, The Daily Beast reported in September that his true motivation was a personal vendetta against McCarthy for reviving an Ethics Committee probe related to a DOJ investigation— which was ultimatly dropped— into allegations that Gaetz paid for sex with a minor. The Daily Beast claims Gaetz’s vendetta was corroborated by anonymous sources and “verified” communications—though they conveniently provided no information on the source or nature of these communications.
When asked for comment by The Daily Beast, Gaetz responded, “As I’ve answered likely 100 times on the record, I led the charge to remove Kevin McCarthy from his role as House Speaker because he failed to keep his promises. The Daily Beast continues to lie about me, and I think it’s due for a round of layoffs.”
Related
So, about those allegations…
Gaetz is no stranger to controversy and loves to be in the headlines, but not when it’s his name and sex trafficking together. Gaetz has faced scrutiny over several allegations, including accusations of sexual misconduct and involvement in a sex trafficking scheme. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, pointing out that he and his family were victims of an elaborate smear campaign.
The allegations began with a 2021 investigation into Gaetz’s former associate, Joel Greenberg, a Seminole County tax collector who pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sex trafficking of a minor.
This investigation quickly spiraled, pulling Gaetz into the fray with accusations that he allegedly had relationships with women, including a 17-year-old girl, in exchange for gifts and money, and even traveled with the minor, prompting the DOJ to expand its investigation to include potential sex trafficking. The media, along with Democrats who love to hate Gaetz, latched onto the story, casting him as the latest political scandal. But Gaetz held his ground, asserting that this was nothing more than a smear campaign.
The DOJ pursued the investigation into Gaetz but ultimately dropped it in early 2023. According to sources familiar with the decision, the DOJ cited a lack of concrete evidence and serious concerns about the credibility of key witnesses, which left the case too weak to prosecute. For the DOJ, the decision came down to the facts—or lack thereof—and without reliable evidence, the case against Gaetz simply couldn’t hold up in court.
The Extortion Twist
As if the allegations weren’t complex enough, enter a twist straight out of a Hollywood screenplay—an extortion plot involving $25 million, a former DOJ official, and promises of a presidential pardon. In August 2021, Stephen Alford, a convicted fraudster, was indicted in Florida on charges of wire fraud and property destruction, tied to a plot to extort $25 million from Gaetz’s father, Don Gaetz. The scheme? Alford allegedly promised he could secure a presidential pardon for Gaetz, who at the time was facing accusations of sex trafficking a minor.
The extortion tale began in March 2021, shortly after reports emerged that the DOJ was investigating whether Gaetz had transported a minor across state lines for sex. Gaetz, never one to dodge the spotlight, appeared on Tucker Carlson Tonight to deny the allegations. In what Carlson later described as "one of the strangest interviews I’ve ever conducted," Gaetz asserted that the accusations against him were not only false but part of a scheme involving a "former Justice Department official." Gaetz, leaning into the surreal moment, reminded Carlson that he’d even met one of the people involved, during a dinner Gaetz had attended with Carlson and his wife two years prior.
During the interview, Gaetz explained that on March 16, his father had received a text demanding $25 million to make the sex trafficking allegations against him "go away." Rather than pay up, Don Gaetz went to the FBI, where agents promptly handed him a wire and sent him to gather evidence against the extortionists. Gaetz later called for the FBI and DOJ to release the tapes his father recorded, insisting that they would reveal the truth and "prove my innocence."
Federal prosecutors confirmed parts of Gaetz’s story when they indicted Alford, who allegedly assured Don Gaetz that if he forked over $25 million, he could "guarantee" a pardon for Matt. Alford’s bizarre pitch involved funding a scheme to rescue Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent who went missing in Iran in 2007 and is now presumed dead. Apparently sensing a "discount" might move things along, Alford later reduced the extortion demand to $15.5 million. Despite his best efforts, he was eventually taken into custody by U.S. Marshals, now facing federal charges for the scheme.
While the extortion indictment confirmed that Gaetz and his family were indeed targeted in a plot, the DOJ nonetheless proceeded with its investigation into the sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz.
The Ethics Probe: More Than Just Allegations?
With the DOJ investigation behind him, Gaetz still faced another formidable adversary: the House Ethics Committee. This is the one The Daily Beast claims Gaetz sought a vendetta against McCarthy. Their probe covered not only the allegations of sexual misconduct but also accusations of drug use and potential obstruction of justice. In classic Gaetz fashion, he dismissed the ethics investigation as a politically motivated attempt to weaken his influence within Congress. And frankly, he has a point; Washington is no stranger to weaponized investigations, particularly when it serves a partisan purpose.
In the past we ave seen that investigations have often been wielded as political weapons. From Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s Red Scare witch hunts to House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s ethics inquiry and Donald Trump’s January 6th investigation, high-profile probes frequently target politically inconvenient figures under the guise of "ethical oversight."
Like Gaetz, Gingrich argued that his ethics investigation was retribution for his role in the Republican Revolution. Although Gingrich admitted to some infractions, his supporters claimed the process was nothing more than a witch hunt by political adversaries.
The Ethics Report: Release or Resign?
The House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Gaetz, which initially cast a broad net over allegations of misconduct, was slated for release soon. Yet, with Trump’s nomination in play, Gaetz chose a bold exit from Congress, effectively ending the probe. Of course, this has sparked speculation: was this all part of a strategic plan? Some of Trump and Gaetz’s opponents argue that Gaetz’s resignation and Trump’s nomination are part of a calculated move to “save” Gaetz from the Ethics Committee’s findings. It sounds like a Democrat conspiracy theory, and while there’s little hard evidence to support it, that won’t stop the speculation.
The Ethics Committee could still release its findings, which Democrats are particularly eager to see made public, hoping it casts a shadow over Gaetz as his confirmation hearing approaches. With Gaetz’s seat now open, House Speaker Johnson hinted at the possibility of a special election, though the solidly red district is likely to stay Republican.
For Gaetz’s supporters, his defiance of the ethics probe only solidifies his anti-establishment image, while for his critics, it’s another sign of alleged misconduct. Should the Ethics Committee decide to release its report, it would likely add fuel to an already intense debate around his nomination, giving Senate Democrats another angle to scrutinize his character and potentially derail his path to the DOJ.
In the end, the question remains: was the ethics probe a legitimate attempt to hold Gaetz accountable, or yet another Washington power play? Given the capital’s long history of weaponizing investigations, one can’t help but wonder if Gaetz is the latest in a series of political figures targeted more for his defiance than his actions, and, considering Trump’s outspoken distrust of the DOJ, it’s hardly surprising he’d want someone like Gaetz—a firebrand who distrusts the system as much as he does—to lead the department.
Will Gaetz Be Confirmed?
Whether Gaetz ultimately lands in the Attorney General’s seat is anyone’s guess. If he goes through the traditional Senate confirmation process, it’s hard to predict.
It’s safe to say that all Senate Democrats will vote no on Gaetz—probably even Sen. Fetterman, who tends to be more open to cooperation with Republicans. Following his statement calling Gaetz’s nomination a troll move by Trump, Fetterman seems unlikely to approve it.
Senate Majority Whip-elect Barrasso and Senate Majority Leader-elect Thune have both said that the Senate is fully supportive of Trump’s agenda and Cabinet picks. However, I speculate that Murkowski, Collins, and possibly McConnell will vote no. This leaves just one more Republican to potentially block Gaetz’s confirmation.
It all depends on how much of a battle Republican senators are willing to wage with Trump and Gaetz. Senate Majority Leader-elect Thune has publicly committed to supporting Trump’s nominees, but keeping the slim Republican majority in line is easier said than done. It’ll come down to whether Thune and Barrasso can whip the votes or if the anti-Gaetz faction—small but tenacious—will manage to peel off enough defectors to block him.
Anyone claiming Gaetz’s confirmation is a sure thing or a lost cause are only making predictions. The Senate confirmation is still two months away, scheduled to begin only after Trump’s inauguration, and a lot can change in the political landscape between now and then. But Trump may have another route up his sleeve: a recess appointment. Every president before Trump has had the option to make recess appointments when the Senate is out of session, except Trump himself during his first term. Now, there’s talk that this option could be granted, giving Trump a shortcut to install Gaetz without a drawn-out Senate battle.
What Is a Recess Appointment?
So, what’s a recess appointment? In short, it’s a presidential appointment made while the Senate is on break, allowing the appointee to serve temporarily without Senate confirmation. For this to happen, the Senate must be in recess for at least 10 consecutive days. This would allow the appointee to hold the position until the end of the Senate’s next session, giving them a window to act before facing a formal confirmation. With a recess appointment, Trump could sidestep the messy confirmation fight entirely and hand Gaetz the reins of the DOJ right out of the gate.
Historically, past presidents have used recess appointments as a quick way to fill some top staff positions, ensuring that key roles are filled immediately for a smoother transition. But Trump faced unprecedented opposition to this in his first term, leaving many seats unfilled or occupied by Obama-era appointees who were anything but aligned with his agenda. Now, with a fresh mandate, Trump is calling on the Senate to allow recess appointments, aiming to avoid a repeat of the obstructive tactics that stymied his administration’s early days.
Senate Majority Leader-elect Thune has signaled he might be open to this, though he’s stopped short of a full commitment. Allowing Trump to use recess appointments would make for a smoother transition, but whether the Senate leadership will take this step remains to be seen. Given Trump’s unconventional playbook, it’s certainly an option to keep an eye on.
Conclusion
In the end, the allegations against Matt Gaetz remain unconfirmed, and the details—aside from the fragments of media reports and politically charged speculation—are still largely hidden from public view. The DOJ dropped its case against Gaetz due to a lack of credible evidence and concerns about the reliability of key witnesses. Yet, in a move that has fueled partisan suspicions, the House opted to keep the fire burning with its own ethics investigation. This is, after all, Gaetz—the political firebrand who’s made a career out of bucking the establishment, unafraid to stir the pot and fight his way into the headlines.
The Ethics Committee’s report, if it is ever released, may or may not shed light on the credibility of these allegations. But with Gaetz now out of Congress, the Committee’s jurisdiction over him has expired, which means any release of their findings would be seen as one more political maneuver in a town that never tires of such games. Whether this investigation was a legitimate inquiry into ethics or a weapon wielded for partisan gain may never be known, leaving Gaetz to step into this nomination with more mystery than certainty surrounding his name.
Out of all Trump’s nominations, Gaetz’s is poised to face the most challenging road ahead. With his brash, anti-establishment persona, Gaetz has never been one to make friends on either side of the aisle, and the Senate will likely turn his confirmation hearings into a high-stakes spectacle. Whether this battle will be a serious showdown or more political theater remains to be seen. But if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that this confirmation process will be anything but dull.
Time will tell if Gaetz can navigate the storm and take the reins of the DOJ, but one thing’s for sure: it might be time to stock up on popcorn.