U.S. Senator John Fetterman, D-Pa., described President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as his next attorney general as a strategic move designed [1] to provoke a reaction from critics.
Fetterman referred to the pick as a “God tier kind of trolling” in comments made to reporters on Wednesday, noting that while some of Trump’s cabinet picks have been serious, he did not see Gaetz in the same light.
John Fetterman on Donald Trump’s cabinet appointments: “I would describe it as God-tier level trolling to just own the libs in perpetuity.”🤣
pic.twitter.com/9bkdfYtBRY [4]
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 13, 2024 [5]
“It’s just kind of like a God tier kind of trolling just to trigger a meltdown,” Fetterman remarked.
“But, really, the Dems’ opinions on Gaetz, that’s not really what’s interesting. The good ones are going to come by my colleagues on the other side, the GOP, on how they can justify voting for that j— off.”
Trump’s recent cabinet selections have included Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as Secretary of State and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, choices Fetterman characterized as “serious picks.”
Fetterman also pointed out that Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt, who previously served as attorney general of Missouri before being elected to the Senate, could have been a credible option for the attorney general role.
“He would have been a solid pick. And then you put out someone like [Gaetz],” Fetterman commented. “That’s just nothing but trolling. The interesting answers are going to come from my colleagues on the GOP, on how they’re going to vote or justify voting for that mess.”
Fetterman seems to be enjoying himself and says Trump is trolling 😂 pic.twitter.com/iAlFJ00Urq [6]
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) November 14, 2024 [7]
Gaetz’s confirmation process is expected to face significant obstacles in the Senate.
A Republican senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Fox News Digital, “He will never get confirmed.” Another Senate Republican source added, “Ain’t gonna happen.”
Following Trump’s announcement of his nomination, Gaetz officially resigned from his position in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
His nomination, however, comes with additional scrutiny due to an ongoing House Ethics investigation into allegations against him, including sexual misconduct, drug use, and improper acceptance of gifts.
Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., chair of the Ethics Committee, noted that Gaetz’s resignation would effectively end the ethics probe. “Once a member is no longer a member of Congress, then ethics has no jurisdiction. So, if Matt Gaetz were to be appointed as the attorney general, the ethics investigation [which] is currently ongoing would cease at that point,” Guest explained.
In addition to the House investigation, Gaetz was previously the subject of a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe into allegations of sex trafficking.
Last year, Gaetz’s office announced that the DOJ had concluded its investigation and decided not to file charges against him.
As Trump’s nominee, Gaetz will still need to secure Senate approval, a process likely to be contentious given both Democratic and some Republican reservations.
The attorney general nomination adds another layer of scrutiny as President-elect Trump assembles his cabinet, balancing between long-standing allies and experienced lawmakers.