The much-anticipated meeting between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump at the White House offered a fleeting glimpse into their interaction. A handful of sentences exchanged during the “room spray”—the brief moment when photographers and journalists are usually allowed into the Oval Office as a meeting kicks off—were all we got. Biden’s most memorable remark? A warm, “Welcome back.”
As Trump departed, he slipped past reporters gathered at the West Wing portico, who had expected a few sound bites from one of the most loquacious figures in politics. Instead, silence prevailed, signaling a calm and orderly transition of power.
Just as Trump’s plane landed in Palm Beach, he took to his platform, Truth Social, to announce Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his chosen Attorney General. This bold move has sent ripples through the political corridors of Washington, stirring both Republican and Democratic elites.
First, let’s consider the role itself. A selected Attorney General is often one of the most pivotal appointments within a president’s cabinet. This individual oversees the Justice Department and its investigative arm, the FBI, while making crucial decisions in sensitive cases. The new AG will not only face the routine challenges of such a powerful position; they’ll also find themselves navigating the complex waters of Trump’s own legal entanglements. Trump is currently under investigation by the Justice Department—an inquiry that has led to criminal charges filed by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith concerning election interference and the handling of classified documents.
With the relentless pressure from the Supreme Court and the ticking clock of the upcoming election, these federal cases seem stalled, with reports suggesting that Smith might even consider stepping back from his role before the Trump administration can dismiss him.
Meanwhile, state-level inquiries regarding election interference are still active in Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada. Trump finds himself entangled as a defendant in Georgia while also cited as an unindicted co-conspirator in the other states. Notably, several members from his former administration are facing serious charges, and four individuals have already pled guilty in Georgia. Political newcomer JD Vance, the vice president-elect, previously emphasized that selecting an Attorney General would be Trump’s most crucial decision.
So, who is this controversial choice? Matt Gaetz has become synonymous with fiery rhetoric and combative posturing in the House of Representatives. Often mentioned alongside fellow representatives such as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert, he personifies the ultra-MAGA faction within the party.
Gaetz has co-sponsored an impeachment bill against President Biden and called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over border control issues. Furthermore, he was instrumental in the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which inadvertently stalled $60 billion in Ukrainian aid. Ironically, he later voted against this very aid package when it finally passed.
During that political whirlwind, McCarthy accused Gaetz of pushing for his ouster to deflect attention from an ongoing investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The probe centers on allegations that Gaetz was involved in the trafficking of a minor across state lines for sexual exploitation—a matter that had initially been looked into by the Justice Department under both Trump’s AG, Bill Barr, and Biden’s AG, Merrick Garland. Early in 2023, the Department opted against prosecution, citing doubts about witness credibility. In response, the House took over the inquiry, but Gaetz has adamantly denied all accusations against him.
With a legal background, Gaetz comes from a family steeped in politics and is no stranger to the cutthroat world of political battlegrounds. He thrives on controversy and conflict, portraying himself as a staunch defender of Trump during the latter’s various legal challenges. Gaetz has openly criticized the Department of Justice for allegedly targeting Trump’s political adversaries.
This has sparked concern among Washington insiders that Gaetz might use the Justice Department’s power to target Trump’s critics. For many of Trump’s supporters, this dynamic represents a fight for democracy. They view the prosecutions of Trump and others, especially those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, as direct threats to free speech and democratic ideals. These individuals are eager for Trump to extend pardons to those they perceive as “political prisoners.”
The incoming AG will also need to provide legal backing for Trump’s plans to deport undocumented immigrants, ensuring that employees within the department do not hinder these efforts. Trump’s advisors have signaled since early October that department staffers should be aware their positions are at stake.
Meanwhile, Gaetz’s nomination has easily overshadowed that of Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Criticisms directed at Hegseth largely concerned his relative inexperience with Pentagon operations. Although he served admirably as a junior officer in Iraq and Afghanistan and is a vocal advocate for veterans, he has frequently called for the dismissal of senior military officials whom he labels “woke” and thinks have undermined military effectiveness. The new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may be particularly under scrutiny from him.
Both Gaetz and Hegseth will undergo confirmation hearings in the Senate, unless Trump opts for a controversial recess appointment to expedite matters. Despite the Republican Party’s solid control of the Senate, challenges might arise while Trump endeavors to solidify his administration.
During Biden’s meeting, Republican senators gathered to elect a new leader to replace Mitch McConnell, who has often been at odds with Trump. Among three contenders, Trump’s preferred candidate was the first to drop out. In the final rounds, John Thune emerged victorious, triggering backlash from Trump’s base, who are clearly emphasizing their intention to maintain an independent stance within the Senate, thereby preserving their own authority in the process.
Although the Republicans appear to have secured a narrow majority in the House, with 218 seats along with several still pending, the road ahead isn’t a simple march to victory. With Gaetz and two other cabinet nominations from the House, the Republican majority is precarious, at least until special elections can fill those vacancies.
Thus, while it may seem as though Trump is confidently stepping into this new chapter, his administration’s journey could turn out to be more tumultuous than initially anticipated.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
