Former Republican Rep. Charlie Dent has suggested Matt Gaetz's appointment as attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump may "have to be withdrawn" and that the nomination was "gobsmackingly bad."
Trump announced he would be nominating Gaetz to head the Department of Justice on Wednesday. The Florida lawmaker resigned from office following the announcement, just two days before the House Ethics Committee was to vote on releasing a reportedly "highly damaging" probe into him, Punchbowl News reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation.
Gaetz had been under investigation over allegations that he was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. The committee said in June it was investigating whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.
During an appearance on CNN, Dent, a long-time Trump critic, was asked by host Anderson Cooper whether he thought the appointment of Gaetz by Trump might be "too far" for Republican senators.
"Oh goodness, yes," Dent replied. "This is a gobsmackingly bad nomination. I'd be less surprised, in the words of Chevy Chase, if my face was stapled to the floor. This is really a bad nomination."
"I can't imagine any circumstance under which Matt Gaetz would be confirmed. I suspect that Donald Trump will have to withdraw this nomination," he added.
Newsweek has contacted Gaetz and the Trump transition team for comment via email outside of normal working hours.
Dent is far from the only Republican to express concerns over Trump's decision to tap Gaetz as his next attorney general.
Maine Sen. Susan Collins told Punchbowl News reporter Max Cohen she was "shocked" at the nomination.
"This is why the Senate's advice and consent process is so important," she added. "I'm sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz's hearing."
Nebraska congressman Don Bacon told Punchbowl's Melanie Zanona: "I've got no good comment."
Speaking to Axios reporter Juliegrace Brufke on Wednesday, Ohio congressman Max Miller said, "Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the Senate." The queen died in 2022.
Trump has wasted no time in putting together his cabinet since his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris.
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Joe Edwards
Joe Edwards is a Live News Reporter based in Newsweek's London Bureau. He covers U.S. and global news and has ...
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