It was just hours ago that I asked why loyalty didn’t go two ways and why Matt Gaetz had not done what’s best for Donald Trump by withdrawing and given the transition team a do-over as Gaetz just posted on ‘X” only hours later, it is a done deal:
“I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.”
“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance…
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024
One would like to think it was inevitable and it certainly isn’t a coincidence that the nomination was withdrawn after meeting with GOP Senators. Gaetz surely got the message, “There is no way… ” Because there likely was no way. And so why put the GOP and incoming-President Donald Trump through the entire ordeal? They likely imagined an absolutely brutal and futile nomination process.
The remaining questions are obvious but before one gets to “Now who?” there is the matter of how this came to be in the first place and why it took so long. It was a disastrous choice right out of the gate, so bad that too little blame has come back on Trump for thinking this was a good idea at all. Not only does one wonder how it was that he made a choice that clearly stood no chance but why did Trump even want this pick? Was it a test of the Republicans in the Senate? If so it is an even bigger disaster. Some Senators were needlessly forced to defend Gaetz, looking and sounding even dumber now. Lindsey Graham, often considered by Democratic Senators as one of the few semi-voices of reason, will never live down having said that the matter was reduced to “media reports” when the House ethics committee buries the report. It must have been horrendous.
It is also possible that this was offered as an escape clause for Gaetz. It may have been an opportunity to resign from the House in an effort to bury the report. The trouble with that scenario is it would’ve been a big gift to Gaetz at tremendous political cost to Donald Trump. That is not the typical expectation from Trump, nor should it be. An incoming president should only be worried about the transition, that is reality. This is true even though most don’t want a too successful transition, only that required to keep the economy afloat.
Now we move to who might be the next pick. Before addressing it as such, I’ve been somewhat appropriately raked-over for offering up certain qualified choices, in Cruz, Hawley, even DeSantis. Never mind the death threats that I get with an unusual last name in a very red state, it’s also important to somewhat keep one’s head as the process moves on through and we see results. Keeping one’s sanity during this period is a prerequisite if for no greater reason than a daughter. As for the next nomination, there is a huge difference between baseline qualifications – such as those above, versus anyone that would be considered a decent choice. Given that the first and sometimes only qualification sought is “loyalty” there is almost no chance of us seeing a good choice. The only qualifications for us would be “is the person at least somewhat qualified” to lead DOJ.
To that end, expect a much safer choice, if only palatable to the base question. The next nominee will not bring Gaetz-level scandal. Who could? But it will also be someone that can be confirmed out of the gate. The self-inflicted political wound is so deep such that only a safe choice can even begin to repair the damage.
One further consideration. When will it come to Hegseith’s turn? The police report is as disgusting and offensive as it gets. How is it tolerable? It is said that the accusations were news to the transition team. How does that happen? Furthermore, the news didn’t sneak up on Hegseth. How did he not step in and say “You don’t want to do that”?
Now we are in wait and see mode. But expect the safest cabinet choice yet. Additionally, look to the GOP Senate to flex even more muscle over cabinet choices. They moved one already. Look for more.
Good Bless:Â I can be reached at [email protected] and @JasonMiciak, and on Blue Sky, a wonderful respite, at
https://bsky.app/profile/jasonmiciak.bsky.social
