A Problematic Attorney General Nomination

President-elect Trump has nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General of the United States. If he had intentionally set out to choose the Republican with the least chance of being confirmed, he could hardly have done better.

With a 53-47 Senate and his Vice-President having a tie-breaking vote, the 47 Democrats plus 4 Republicans can block a nominee. Mr. Gaetz is a disruptive, divisive figure, widely despised among his former colleagues in the House Republican Caucus. Can he attract unanimous support, or anything close to it, among Republicans in the upper chamber? That seems unlikely. An appeal to party loyalty and unity in support of a man who is the epitome of the exact opposite does not seem to be a winning argument.

The WSJ has this article. The WaPo has this article. Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski look like clear “no” votes, and others are skeptical. Two more and it’s over.

President-elect Trump also wants the Senate to take a recess after his inauguration so he can make recess appointments. While the House has no direct role in confirmations, it does have a say in whether the Senate can adjourn. (See U.S. Const. art. I, § 5.) The large number of enemies that Mr. Gaetz has made among House Republicans may provide enough votes to block that maneuver.

Mr. Gaetz has resigned his House seat. It is up to Gov. DeSantis to schedule a special election.