Photo Credit: Mike Blake Reuters
Given his controversial history and political ideology, Matt Gaetz's potential appointment as attorney general will pose several risks. Gaetz is infamous for prioritizing loyalty to Trump, which will undermine the impartiality of the Department of Justice (DOJ). He has a track record of inflammatory rhetoric and a combative style, which could deepen divisions in an already polarized political climate. Matt Gaetz is a particularly heinous pick because of his legal and ethical issues; he has been under investigation for several serious crimes, one being the sex trafficking of a minor. He will now lead the same agency that has investigated him extensively.
Some of the surface-level issues with this appointment include:
1. Partisanship over Rule of Law: Gaetz’s close alignment with Trump could result in DOJ actions more focused on advancing Trump’s political agenda than imparting laws. This could include targeting political opponents or shielding Trump allies from accountability.
2. Going After Trump's Political Enemies: The Attorney General traditionally operates independently of the presidency to uphold justice objectively. Gaetz’s appointment might compromise this principle, further politicizing the agency.
The House Ethics Committee has also investigated Gaetz, but that probe is up in the air given the fact that the congressman resigned on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, and commented:
"we ought to have a full-court press against this WEAPONIZED government that has been turned against our people. And if that means abolishing every one of the three letter agencies, from the FBI to the ATF, I’m ready to get going!” (USA Today, November 14, 2024)
Allies and another top aide to Trump, Elon Musk, publicly said on his platform X, "The hammer of justice is coming."
3. Potential Conflicts of Interest: A subnote of number 2, Matt Gaetz has faced ethical and legal controversies in his career, which will compromise his credibility as head of the nation’s top law enforcement agency. How can the US Attorney General's office nominee be investigated by the Justice Department in one minute and then run the department in the next?
4. Impact on Public Trust: His appointment could further erode public confidence in the DOJ, which is already viewed with suspicion by some segments of the population due to past politicization. The United States government only works if there is significant public trust. He got out of his federal investigation, and the House Ethics Committee investigation report will never see the light of day, as Mike Johnson, the House speaker, blocked its release.
Most importantly, his appointment says that the Republicans are ok with their party members potentially sex-trafficking minors. The GOP is okay with their members needing an ethics report buried. True, Matt Gaetz has not been convicted of the crime. But do some side research; there is some pretty compelling evidence, and Gaetz is tied to someone who has been convicted of sex trafficking. Why did Mike Johnson bury the ethics investigation report? If there was nothing to see, why not make it public?
If Matt Gaetz were an average Joe American, he would have faced a swift investigation, arrested, tried, and likely convicted and in jail by now. How can Americans trust the legal system where the rich and powerful can get away with awful crimes? If you don't have either, you will face justice's wrath.
So...Now What?
We can't cede power before we lose it. We have a couple of months to develop a strategy, so at least try to slow some of his heins appointments, as he doesn't use recess appointments. I won't lie; it will likely get grizzly once Trump takes office. Hope is not lost, though. ALL OF US must organize and unify to slow down the horrible things to come. They told us what they were going to do. Unfortunately, a majority of us didn't listen.