TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — There are increasing questions from political figures surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department. However, former Rep. Matt Gaetz is getting support from Evan Power, the chair of the Florida GOP.
“I think he’s going to be ready to fight on day one there,” Power said.
Power claims the Justice Department investigating Gaetz over sex trafficking allegations was politically motivated. Gaetz was never charged. The department’s investigation into President-elect Trump previously led to criminal indictments.
“We need to put people like Congressman Gaetz in a position of power so they can investigate what went on,” Power said. “He knows what a crucial role lawfare played in trying to bring down the President.”
He was also under an ethics investigation in the Republican-led House after being accused of sexual misconduct and obstruction. Gaetz resigned ahead of a vote to release that report.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said the DOJ would not be well-managed under the leadership of the former congressman.
“For the people of this nation, you will experience the type of chaos that comes with Matt Gaetz,” Fried said. “He’s one of those people who likes to turn the tables upside down and rearrange the chairs and hopes that he is the last one standing.”
Republican U.S House Rep Max Miller from Ohio echoed that sentiment.
“Mr. Gaetz breaks things to break things. Once he breaks it, he breaks it even more. That is somebody who should not be Attorney General of the United States,” Miller said.
After the nomination, NBC News uncovered December 2020 comments from Gaetz that have resurfaced about the possibly of being the nation’s top prosecutor.
“Maybe I should serve as Attorney General of United States,” Gaetz said. “If necessary, I’d fire every s*** kicker at the J. Edgar Hoover building.”
The former congressman’s political rival, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said Gaetz won’t be confirmed.
However, confirmation is left up to the Senate. Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have already expressed shock and surprise. With the GOP majority, Gaetz can only afford to lose a few votes. The other option is Trump being granted a recess appointment. That would bypass the confirmation hearing.