Are There No Jobs For Madison Cawthorn And The My Pillow Guy?
It sure looks like Kevin McCarthy doesn’t have any influence with the new administration! Was Trump sending a message to Senate Republicans— just a couple of hours after they kicked Rick Scott to the curb and picked “RINO” John Thune as majority leader— the he has no boundaries and they better not screw around? If he’s pissed off over John Thune’s election in a secret ballot after Musk told them they should pick Scott— instead of the Florida fascist, he might be signaling his displeasure by picking a nominee who embodies an anti-establishment, combative spirit—one that aligns more with Trump’s style than with Thune’s. Thune represents the more traditional, institutional wing of the GOP, which Trump has often butted heads with, while Scott has been more of a Trump ally. By nominating Gaetz, Trump could be sending a warning shot to Senate Republicans, reminding them that he still has a powerful grip on the base and can upend traditional norms if they don’t fall in line.
Of course, there are a number of possible motivations that could explain why he’d float such a controversial, provocative nomination like Gaetz’s. Is he testing loyalty along with boundaries? He’s always valued loyalty over anything resembling traditional qualifications or norms, and a nomination like Gaetz— not as ambassador to Mali or Kyrgyzstan, but as Attorney General, one of the 4 original cabinet officers established by George Washington (along with secretaries of war, the treasury and state)— could be his way of testing how far Republican lawmakers and even his own base will go to support him. By selecting a figure as divisive and legally embattled as Gaetz, he might be probing to see if anyone within his camp will object, which could help him gauge who’s truly loyal and who might hesitate to back him under intense pressure.
And no matter what we think about Trump, he’s consistently framed himself as an outsider fighting against a corrupt establishment. By nominating someone like Gaetz— who has faced legal “persecution” and is almost as polarizing as Trump himself— Trump can reinforce this narrative, presenting himself as a crusader against what he calls the “weaponization” of the justice system. In this framing, Gaetz isn’t a controversial figure; he’s a victim of the very system he would be tasked with reforming. It’s a way of doubling down on the MAGA populist message, framing both himself and Gaetz as underdogs fighting for “real” Americans against a hostile, “deep state” establishment. Remember, Señor T has a history of stirring up controversy as a means of distraction or deflection, especially when he’s facing challenges or setbacks. Gaetz’s nomination would immediately consume the news cycle and create a media firestorm, drawing attention away from other issues that might be less favorable for Trump. It would dominate coverage and keep his base energized, which is always a key part of his strategy.
Does anyone doubt this is another step in Trump’s strategy to push the Overton window— to make what was once extreme seem almost mainstream? By continuously nominating figures who might seem outlandish or shocking, he might hope to desensitize the public and even Congress to his more radical choices (take a bow Elon, Tulsi, RFK Jr, Hegseth, Homan, Noem, Stephen Miller, Mike Huckabee, Ramaswamy). By announcing Gaetz as the pick for Attorney General, it could make other insane appointments seem almost moderate by comparison, gradually shifting perceptions and making extreme partisanship feel more routine.
And do you doubt for a minute that Trump, who’s repeatedly railed against the DOJ, thinks nominating Gaetz, someone who is both fiercely loyal and has personal grievances against the DOJ, could be Trump’s way of seeking revenge? With Gaetz at the helm, Trump could feel assured that the DOJ would focus on punishing his political enemies and dismantling any investigations that might target him or his allies.
Did you notice that in his tweet, instead of highlighting Gaetz's legal “accomplishments” or ability to enforce the law impartially, Trumpanzee emphasizes goals like “ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System” and “protecting our Borders,” which align more with Trump’s political agenda. This approach would be atypical for a nomination to such a critical, traditionally nonpartisan position. The statement that Gaetz is a “Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law” rings hollow for anyone who isn’t a die-hard MAGAt— both inside and outside Congress.
Presumably this will be Thune’s first connivance with Trump on a recess appointment. Actually— one of many, not first. I mean, is the Senate going to want to hold hearings and a vote on Gaetz’s sex trafficking case with at least one minor who he paid for sex and took over the U.S. border? Are they going to want to investigate Gaetz’s close association with Joel Greenberg, a former Florida tax official who was convicted on several counts, including sex trafficking of a minor and is now in prison? Keep in mind, Greenberg cooperated with prosecutors, leading to speculation that he provided information implicating Gaetz. The association with Greenberg alone would make Gaetz a liability, as it raises questions about his judgment and his choice of cronies.
As if that wasn’t enough, Gaetz has faced multiple ethics complaints in first the state legislature and then in Congress, including accusations of improper use of campaign funds, like using campaign money for personal expenses and travel. There’s a clearly defined pattern of questionable financial behavior that would be— if not part of Trump-world— problematic for the nation's top law enforcement officer. There have also been credible allegations that Gaetz attempted to obstruct justice by influencing witnesses involved in his investigations. Reports emerged that he sought to influence associates not to cooperate with investigators, which, if true, would be an especially troubling trait for an Attorney General candidate, as it suggests a willingness to break the law to protect himself. Maine Republican Susan Collins late this afternoon: “I was shocked at the nomination. This is why the Senate’s advice and consent process is so important. I’m sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing.” Even Trump allies in the Senate were skeptical Gaetz could be confirmed. One, Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, said “Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II [RIP] than being confirmed by the Senate.”
