Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has voiced strong doubts about former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) chances of being confirmed as Attorney General. In an interview with Bloomberg Television on Wednesday, McCarthy addressed the recent announcement by President-elect Donald Trump, who named Gaetz for the nation’s top law enforcement role, a choice that surprised many in Washington.
While McCarthy commended most of Trump’s Cabinet picks, he didn’t hold back his opinion on Gaetz’s nomination. “I think the choices are very good, except one,” McCarthy commented, quickly adding, “Look, Gaetz won’t get confirmed. Everybody knows that.” The former Speaker, who has been a loyal Trump ally, hinted that Trump may have nominated Gaetz as a “deflection from others,” though he left it at that without elaboration.
McCarthy and Gaetz have a longstanding feud dating back to McCarthy’s tenure as Speaker of the House. Last year, Gaetz led an effort to remove McCarthy from his leadership position, a move that ultimately resulted in McCarthy’s resignation. Tensions between the two escalated over the past year, with McCarthy and his allies reportedly investing millions in an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Gaetz in the primary, and clashing publicly at the Republican National Convention over speaking slots.
For many Senate Republicans, Gaetz’s nomination to Attorney General raises significant concerns. In addition to his polarizing political style, Gaetz has faced scrutiny from the Department of Justice over allegations of sexual misconduct involving an underage girl, an investigation that was closed without charges last year. Despite his denials of any wrongdoing, the Florida Republican’s reputation has taken a hit, and the Senate’s top Republicans have voiced skepticism over whether he could secure enough support for confirmation.
The House Ethics Committee had also been investigating Gaetz for alleged misconduct before he resigned from Congress. While the committee no longer has jurisdiction, members may vote to release the findings, which could play a role in shaping public opinion and affecting his confirmation prospects.
