Sources: Most Senate Republicans skeptical Gaetz will be confirmed as attorney general

More than half of Senate Republicans do not see a path to the confirmation of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general and would not support his nomination, according to anonymous sources. Gaetz was chosen by President-elect Donald Trump, despite facing allegations of sex trafficking and controversy during his time in the House. Trump’s team is confident in Gaetz’s eventual confirmation, but Republican sources doubt there are enough votes in the Senate to confirm him. Gaetz and Trump attorney Todd Blanche are working to fill out the Justice Department, with Blanche potentially serving as the No. 2 official. Senate Republicans have expressed concerns about Gaetz’s confirmation, with some calling for the release of an Ethics Committee report detailing the investigation into Gaetz. If confirmed, Gaetz would oversee an agency that previously investigated him, leading some Republicans to doubt his confirmation. Some have warned against forcing Gaetz through with a recess appointment. Gaetz was shocking pick for many Republicans, and his confirmation remains uncertain with some estimating that closer to 30 Senate Republicans consider him unqualified. Sen. Kevin Cramer has expressed concerns about the potential political fallout of confirming Gaetz, and many Republicans have reservations about confirming someone who was investigated by the agency he would oversee.

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