In a forceful display of support for his embattled attorney general nominee, President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly reaching out to senators directly, urging them to confirm former congressman Matt Gaetz despite swirling controversy and bipartisan concern. Sources close to the situation reveal that Trump has been working the phones, personally appealing to lawmakers to fall in line behind his pick for the nation’s top law enforcement post.
The calls from the incoming commander-in-chief come as Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally and firebrand conservative, faces mounting scrutiny over allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. The allegations, which Gaetz vehemently denies, have raised alarm among Democrats and Republicans alike, with a growing number of senators voicing reservations about the Florida politician’s fitness for such a sensitive and powerful role.
Trump’s Persuasion Campaign
Undeterred by the gathering storm clouds, Trump is said to be digging in on his choice, launching a behind-the-scenes persuasion campaign to salvage Gaetz’s nomination. One GOP senator who received a call from the president-elect described Trump as resolute in his support, insisting Gaetz possesses the “fearlessness and ferociousness” needed to steer the Justice Department in a new direction.
“He clearly wants Matt Gaetz,” the senator revealed, speaking on condition of anonymity. “He believes Matt Gaetz is the one person who will have the fearlessness and ferociousness, really, to do what needs doing at the department of justice.”
The senator emphasized that with Trump, unwavering loyalty to his nominees should never be mistaken for mere political gamesmanship. “One thing about Donald Trump, people should never confuse his support for one of his nominees as a tactical or strategic tool for somebody else,” the lawmaker noted. “At least to this point, he’s putting his own political capital behind it.”
Gaetz’s Troubled Nomination
The revelation of Trump’s personal lobbying blitz comes as Gaetz’s nomination hangs in the balance. The 42-year-old Trump devotee, known for his brash style and uncompromising conservatism, resigned his House seat last week, just hours before the president-elect stunned Washington by tapping him as his attorney general nominee.
But Gaetz’s political ascent has been quickly overshadowed by the misconduct allegations, which first surfaced during an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. While the Justice Department declined to bring charges against Gaetz following a separate probe into allegations he had sex with an underage girl, the House inquiry has continued to gather steam.
In a new twist, an attorney for two women who testified before the committee now claims that Gaetz paid both women for sex and that one of the women alleged she witnessed the former congressman having sex with a minor. Gaetz has strenuously denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the claims as politically motivated smears.
Senate Showdown Looms
As Trump goes to bat for his embattled nominee, all eyes are turning to the Senate, where Gaetz’s fate will ultimately be decided. In the evenly split chamber, the defection of just a single Republican would likely be enough to torpedo the nomination, assuming Democrats unanimously oppose Gaetz’s appointment.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham has called on the House panel to share its investigative findings, a move that could further complicate Gaetz’s path to confirmation. Some GOP senators have openly questioned whether the nomination should move forward at all given the seriousness and scope of the allegations facing Gaetz.
For Trump, the battle over Gaetz’s nomination represents a high-stakes loyalty test and an early challenge to his political clout in the post-presidency era. By thrusting himself into the contentious confirmation fight, the president-elect is wagering his own reputation and influence on an ally mired in scandal.
“He’s a pretty persuasive guy,” the GOP senator said of Trump’s efforts to rally support for Gaetz. Whether that persuasiveness will be enough to overcome the darkening cloud of suspicion and unease surrounding the nominee, however, remains far from certain.
As the Gaetz controversy continues to unfold, the outcome of this bitter confirmation clash could offer an early window into the limits of Trump’s political capital and the extent to which his iron grip on the GOP endures. For now, all of Washington waits to see whether Trump’s gamble on Gaetz pays off — or blows up in the face of a defiant president determined to have his way.
