Trump’s high-stakes lobbying for Matt Gaetz as Attorney General hits roadblocks

President-elect Donald Trump is ramping up efforts to secure the confirmation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as Attorney General, personally reaching out to senators to garner their support for the controversial nomination, according to two sources familiar with the outreach.

While the names of the senators Trump has contacted remain undisclosed, the sources emphasized his determination to push Gaetz through, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media sources.

Meanwhile, Republicans on the House Ethics Committee are deliberating whether to bury a potentially damaging ethics report on Gaetz, who had been under investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

The release of the report has been put into question, with some GOP members signalling privately that they believe it should remain unpublished. This stance aligns with House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has called for the committee to block the report’s public release.

The potential clash between the House and Senate is brewing, as a growing number of GOP senators believe that the House report is critical to vetting Gaetz for the role of Attorney General. As House Republicans argue that the report is not ready for public release, Democrats accuse them of trying to bury the findings.

Despite the controversy surrounding Gaetz’s nomination, Trump has remained steadfast, with sources revealing that the president-elect is committed to pushing the former Florida congressman into the AG role. Trump’s allies have also explored using the Federal Vacancies Reform Act to install Gaetz as Attorney General in an acting capacity, bypassing the need for immediate Senate confirmation.

The selection of Gaetz as Attorney General has been marred by the ongoing ethics probe into his alleged misconduct, which led to his resignation from Congress shortly after Trump’s nomination. Gaetz has repeatedly denied all allegations, including accusations of having sex with a minor or paying for sex.

While Trump’s insistence on Gaetz’s confirmation has raised concerns among some of his allies, who warn that Gaetz faces an uphill battle in securing Senate approval, the president-elect remains resolute. Sources close to Trump indicate that he views Gaetz as a crucial figure in his Cabinet and believes that the former congressman’s combative style and media presence are key assets in defending his administration’s agenda.

Trump has made it clear that Gaetz’s confirmation is a top priority, stating that he is “100%” committed to the nomination. Despite concerns about the potential distractions that a Gaetz confirmation hearing could create, Trump’s focus remains on securing his ally’s position at the helm of the Department of Justice.

By Tamilla Hasanova