Gaetz won’t get confirmed; everybody knows that, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Thursday, echoing a sentiment shared across Washington after President-elect Donald Trump’s bombshell nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general. The announcement drew reactions ranging from disbelief to laughter, with one House Republican reportedly wiping away tears of amusement upon hearing the news.
But if Gaetz’s political career has proven anything, it’s that underestimating him is a mistake. Dismissed by critics as a provocateur, a self-promoter, or a bomb-thrower, Gaetz has defied the odds time and again, securing victories that seemed improbable. His latest leap toward becoming the nation’s top law enforcement officer may follow the same improbable trajectory.
Gaetz’s rise to prominence was paved by privilege and opportunity. His father, Don Gaetz, a former president of the Florida Senate and successful healthcare entrepreneur, provided a foundation of wealth and connections. The family even owns the Florida home where The Truman Show was filmed, a fitting backdrop for a career seemingly built on performing for public consumption.
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives at 27 and to the U.S. House at 34, Gaetz could have enjoyed a comfortable career as a political legacy. Instead, he bet big on Trump, quickly aligning himself with the energy and grievances of the MAGA base. Gaetz’s fiery rhetoric and relentless ambition alienated many colleagues on Capitol Hill but cemented his place in Trump’s inner circle.
“No one can stand him at this point. He’s a smart guy with no morals,” one Republican lawmaker told reporters during Gaetz’s ouster of McCarthy as speaker. Meant as a jab, the statement doubles as an acknowledgment of Gaetz’s political acumen. He thrives on controversy, leverages animosity to his advantage, and shows a keen ability to maneuver through even the most treacherous political landscapes.
Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general wasn’t part of Trump’s original shortlist, according to reports. But en route to Washington on Trump’s plane, Gaetz found an unexpected advocate in Trump ally Boris Epshteyn, who successfully lobbied for his selection. Trump, looking for a combative loyalist to head the Justice Department, saw in Gaetz a kindred spirit.
In his nomination statement, Trump called Gaetz a “tenacious” attorney who would “root out the systemic corruption at DOJ” and restore the department’s mission of “upholding our Democracy and Constitution.” While Gaetz’s legal credentials include a brief stint at a Florida law firm and a suspended license due to unpaid fees, it’s his loyalty to Trump that likely earned him the nod.
Throughout his nearly eight years in Congress, Gaetz proved himself a fierce Trump defender. His ability to litigate public opinion and his sharp rhetorical skills made him a prominent figure in MAGA circles, even as ethical and legal controversies swirled around him.
Gaetz’s nomination arrives under a cloud of controversy. He has faced multiple ethics inquiries and a federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking. He resigned from Congress abruptly, reportedly to avoid the release of a damaging House Ethics Committee report detailing accusations of drug use, improper gifts, and sexual misconduct.
Such baggage has made some Senate Republicans uneasy. GOP Senator John Cornyn of Texas expressed interest in reviewing the Ethics report, while others have questioned Gaetz’s qualifications. Even Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who once called Gaetz a “liar” living off “daddy’s money,” tempered his criticism when asked about the nomination.
“I can personally object to someone, but I can still work with them if I think they’re qualified to do the job,” Mullin said, adding that the ultimate qualification is the president’s confidence in the nominee.
Trump and Gaetz are banking on Senate Republicans prioritizing loyalty to the president over reservations about the nominee. It’s a gamble that may pay off. Trump’s influence over the GOP remains strong, and many senators may find it politically risky to oppose him.
For Gaetz, this moment is the culmination of a career defined by defying expectations. He has survived and thrived in the face of ridicule, scandal, and opposition, leveraging his sharp instincts and unyielding ambition to climb the political ladder.
As improbable as it seems, dismissing Gaetz’s chances of confirmation might be the latest in a long line of misjudgments about the man who refuses to be counted out.
