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Former President Trump shocked and appalled some Republican lawmakers on Wednesday by announcing plans to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general.

Why it matters: Republican reaction to even Trump's most controversial nominations has been muted so far, but placing the scandal-prone right-winger in the nation's highest law enforcement role is a step too far for many.

"We wanted him out of the House ... this isn't what we were thinking," quipped one House Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about Trump's decision.

What we're hearing: Trump's announcement was met with audible gasps by House Republicans during a conference meeting on Wednesday afternoon, multiple sources in the room told Axios.

One House Republican in the meeting described the conference's response as "stunned and disgusted."

What they're saying: "Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the senate," said Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), referring to the British monarch who died in 2022.

Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), noting that Gaetz is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, said he would be "a compromised AG" and that "there are better choices."

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she was "shocked" by the pick: "This shows why the advice and consent process is so important and I'm sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing."

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said Gaetz has "got his work really cut out for him" to get confirmed.

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[-] MrSpArkle@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 day ago

No they’re not. Go into their forums. They are already dismissing the allegations against him.

Conservatives do not care about crimes if it forwards their agenda.

[-] BigBenis@lemmy.world 37 points 1 day ago

It's only been a week since he was elected. Dude's not even in office yet and there's already shock and scandal coming from his own party. This is going to be a very long four years...

[-] octopus_ink@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 day ago

I've been saying what will keep me alive the next four years is reminding Trump voters they are getting what they voted for every time they start to complain.

But, four years of even Republicans having to fight tooth and nail against his insanity would be even better.

[-] Lennny@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

As designed by the media. Eternal despair is great for viewership.

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[-] tempest@lemmy.ca 213 points 1 day ago

Yeah yeah I'm sure they will do all sorts of gasping and then confirm him anyway. Despite what they say the lot of them are just Trump sycophants at this point.

[-] Nougat@fedia.io 82 points 1 day ago

You've seen how many people have railed against Trump only to turn right back around and toss his salad. Trump has dirt on these people, like mutually assured destruction level dirt.

[-] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 64 points 1 day ago

The "dirt" is not being re-elected because they dare question Trump.

[-] jballs@sh.itjust.works 55 points 1 day ago

That's what is ridiculous to me. The consequences are literally that they might lose their job. Yeah it sucks for them a little bit, but the alternative is destroying our fucking country. It's amazing how many of them choose to bend the knee time and time again.

[-] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 29 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I believe the calculus is "A even more extreme MAGA diehard will take my place."

Which is 100% true.

Still extremely self-serving, but kinda reasonable in a Machiavellian way.

[-] krashmo@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

Are we spinning the actions of fascists as some sort of secret protection of democracy now? Because what you just said sounds crazy to me. 100% of so called reasonable Republicans have already left the party. The people who remain are corrupt without exception.

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[-] cymbal_king@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago

Call your Senators, give them your name, zip code, and briefly tell them you oppose these noms. It DOES make a difference! Democracy doesn't stop at the ballot box, it has to be fought for

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[-] MagicShel@lemmy.zip 13 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

That was the whole of his last administration.

"What he's done is just awful. It must stop. This is the last time." For four years.

I'm just going to spend the next four years treating it like comedy. Nothing else I can do until the mid terms.

[-] Makhno@lemmy.world 87 points 1 day ago

I'm pretty over believing stories about Republicans showing regret about Trump and his picks/actions. I'm 100% this is liberal media copium. Republicans love his ass and every asshole he hires

[-] FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 28 points 1 day ago

On the other hand I can see republican politicians pretending to be stunned in order to say one thing and do another. They get to pretend they don't like it for the political game and then actually support it.

[-] Flocklesscrow@lemm.ee 19 points 1 day ago

They'll ALL bend the knee and smoke the pole when it's presented.

[-] normalexit@lemmy.world 33 points 1 day ago

I'm so tired. I can't handle another four years of journalism covering the most recent crazy thing he did or proposed every hour. Just a firehose of sneaky, selfish plans and actions.

[-] finitebanjo@lemmy.world 110 points 1 day ago

I feel like we're going to see a lot of "Republicans ashamed of Trump" headlines while they sign their names in blood on everything he asks for.

If they wanted to, they could simply choose not to certify the election results or they could impeach and vote to remove him.

They won't. They're all complicit.

[-] brucethemoose@lemmy.world 36 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

They're rightly scared of not being re-elected for daring to oppose him. Or worse.

Mark my words, you are going to see a LOT of railing against rebel Republicans from Trump. Or what few are left, anyway.

[-] mriguy@lemmy.world 49 points 1 day ago

Sure.

He’ll be confirmed with no problem. They always give Trump whatever he wants.

[-] tyrant@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago

And they lie. A lot.

[-] nova_ad_vitum@lemmy.ca 7 points 1 day ago

If they dare to challenge him Trump will sic his army of sycophantic lunatics on them and they'll fold. It's cute that these moronic GOP senators think they get a choice in this.

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[-] adespoton@lemmy.ca 33 points 1 day ago

Wait… why would the leader of the face eating leopard party appoint a LEOPARD to the post of Facial Analysis?

[-] Hobbes_Dent@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago

Department Of Getting Eaten

Every conflict-of-interest-laundry-department is gonna be called the same so they can brag about small government.

[-] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 53 points 1 day ago

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said Gaetz has “got his work really cut out for him” to get confirmed.

Trump has already demanded that the Senate go into immediate recess so he can avoid the confirmation process altogether and just appoint them through recess appointments.

It will go the exact same way it did during Trump's first term: Trump will send out a mean tweet and any dissenters will fall in line. Worked 100% of the time last time.

[-] sik0fewl@lemmy.ca 21 points 1 day ago

Yep. I'm curious to see how shocked, stunned and disgusted they really are.

[-] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 21 points 1 day ago

They are going to be so shocked, stunned, and disgusted that they're going to march right into the Senate chamber and vote the way he fucking told them to vote, but with a really big frowny face. I mean, it's the strongest message that the United States Congress could possibly send to him. What else are they supposed to do? Vote......against...... him? Criticize him......publicly? He might send out a mean tweet on both Twitter and Trump Social. These are politicians we're talking about here! With cushy jobs and six figure salaries and staff people who have staff people. They can't handle two mean tweets in one day!

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[-] uebquauntbez@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago

Sorry, dear Americans we in Europe can't take all of you. Our borders are closed now. Steve Bannon once told us to do so. Sorry!

[-] Sam_Bass@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago

Hey pedophiles stick together

[-] Rhaedas@fedia.io 79 points 1 day ago

Leopards...leopards everywhere.

[-] negativenull@lemmy.world 38 points 1 day ago
[-] iamanurd@midwest.social 3 points 1 day ago

That is the chonkiest of leopards!!

[-] Treczoks@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago

And faces! Don't forget the faces.

[-] Ragdoll_X@lemmy.world 16 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Eugh. Raw face is just gross.

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[-] IHeartBadCode@fedia.io 37 points 1 day ago

Someone, somewhere wished that Rubio and Gaetz were no longer in Congress.

And the monkey paw curled a finger.

[-] sik0fewl@lemmy.ca 16 points 1 day ago

Careful what you vote for.

[-] FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

Rubio is probably the least controversial pick so far.

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[-] sndmn@lemmy.ca 56 points 1 day ago

People credibly accused of sex with children have to stick up for each other.

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[-] leadore@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

Thune (just chosen as the new Senate majority leader) has already agreed to recess the Senate so that Trump could appoint whoever he wants without going through the confirmation process by using the recess appointment process. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recess_appointment

[-] HerrBeter@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago
[-] watson387@sopuli.xyz 3 points 1 day ago

Yep. Add that to Trump's plan to fire all the military generals who won't swear loyalty to him and surprise! Fascism. (Well I guess it's not really a surprise.)

[-] noride@lemm.ee 32 points 1 day ago

Every one of them will fall in line when they remember Trump's daughter in-law runs the RNC and their reelection funds are now contingent on obedience.

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[-] Bsher8365@lemmy.world 28 points 1 day ago

"This shows why the advice and consent process is so important and I'm sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) who added that she was "shocked" by the pick.”

Fuck. She’s going to vote for him, isn’t she…

[-] Nightwingdragon@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago

Remember. According to Susan Collins, he learned his lesson with his first impeachment so he won't do corruption and crime stuff again. Because Trump pinky swore. Or something.

Of course she'll rubber stamp it.

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[-] watson387@sopuli.xyz 30 points 1 day ago

He's constantly Tarzaning from Trump's nuts, so he meets all of Trump's qualifications.

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[-] MushuChupacabra@lemmy.world 22 points 1 day ago

Why in the world would Republicans think that Trump would make sensible appointments? What has he done in the past, that would make them think this?

[-] djsoren19@yiffit.net 21 points 1 day ago

Bunch of disappointed losers sad that daddy picked someone else to be his special boy. Disgust would require these shitsacks to have morals.

In other news, the nomination of Matt Gaetz as AG by Donald Trump has moved the Mitt Romney Outrage Meter from "distasteful" to "bothersome".

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[-] peopleproblems@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago

Oh good lord.

You know, it's kind of weird to me that there are republicans stating he won't be confirmed, which, also has me wondering, does that mean he does not have a senate full of Yes men?

Trump isn't going to like that, so I assume they will change their mind after a little private one on one meeting with him.

[-] phoneymouse@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

Trump will bully the senators that go against him like he always does

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this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2024
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