Fox News pundit Ben Domenech has criticized former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, saying he is "unqualified to be your babysitter."
Gaetz, whom President-elect Donald Trump nominated to serve as U.S. attorney general, withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl.
During a Sunday panel discussion, Domenech told host Howard Kurtz that he supported Gaetz's decision to withdraw, adding: "Matt Gaetz is someone who is not just unqualified for this job. He is unqualified to be your babysitter. He is unqualified to do any kind of work for you."
Gaetz's nomination proved controversial as he faced a House Ethics Committee investigation into alleged sexual abuse and drug use. The report has not been released. Gaetz has denied that he did anything improper and blames the accusations on a smear campaign. Newsweek contacted Gaetz for comment via online form.
The House Ethics Committee investigation stemmed from accusations that Gaetz was involved in recruiting women online for sex, including a 17-year-old girl. In 2023, the Department of Justice told Gaetz he would not face federal sex-trafficking charges.
On November 13, Trump announced Gaetz as his pick to lead the Justice Department, and Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after. A week later, Gaetz withdrew from consideration.
Domenech said of Gaetz during the panel discussion, "This is a man who has proven himself time and again to be someone who is not qualified to do these things in any trustworthy manner."
He attributed the former congressman's withdrawal to an inability to secure enough Senate votes for confirmation, saying, "He wasn't even close to getting to 50."
Democratic strategist Leslie Marshall joined Domenech in condemning Gaetz, citing the same allegations of misconduct.
Marshall said: "I'm the mother of a 16-year-old girl. I hear '17-year-old girl'—I mean this is disgusting. Democrat or Republican, we should have more of a moral compass than this in our nation."
Domenech said he also thought about his daughters, asking Marshall of hers, "Would you trust him to take her to the movies?"
"I would not trust him to drive her in an Uber, which might be his next job," Marshall said.
Newsweek contacted Domenech and Marshall for further comment via email.
In announcing his withdrawal, Gaetz said, "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition."
After Gaetz withdrew from consideration, Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role, calling her a "stellar selection."
Gaetz praised Bondi, saying she would bring "needed reforms" to the Department of Justice.
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