WASHINGTON — In the fortnight following Donald Trump’s election to the presidency, he has sought to assert his influence by appointing loyalists to key administrative roles, despite many lacking the necessary qualifications and some facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct. It appears he is challenging Congress to resist his decisions.
However, on Thursday, a significant setback occurred when Matt Gaetz, selected by Trump for the position of attorney general, withdrew from the consideration process. Gaetz, a congressman from Florida, was chosen to lead the Justice Department, despite being unpopular among his peers, having minimal legal experience, and facing allegations of sexual relationships with an underage girl, which he has denied. After enduring numerous investigations during his first term in office, Trump aimed to appoint a staunch ally to oversee the Justice Department during his upcoming term.
It was evident that Gaetz faced challenges in securing sufficient votes from lawmakers for confirmation. This raises questions about whether Gaetz was particularly controversial or if other nominees may also test the limits of party loyalty amid allegations that would have previously derailed nominees in the past.
The next nominee could be Pete Hegseth, a figure Trump has proposed as his Pentagon chief, despite being embroiled in a sexual assault allegation, which he also denies.
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina on the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted that the turmoil surrounding Gaetz is unlikely to influence the evaluation of Trump’s other candidates. “One at a time,” he remarked.
Conversely, Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, suggested that the fallout from Gaetz’s nomination could pose a broader implications, asserting that “the dominoes are falling.” He claims that “the steady stream of evidence will eventually compromise others.”
Trump’s 2024 election victory signifies that political boundaries in the U.S. may have shifted dramatically. He won the presidency while making headlines for controversial, authoritarian, and racially charged remarks, coupled with a history of spreading lies regarding voter fraud and his role in the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. Moreover, he was recently found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments and deemed liable for sexual abuse in a civil lawsuit.
Fueled by a voter base that prioritized his promise of change over his past transgressions, Trump has disregarded traditional norms in Washington as he attempts to fill roles in his second administration. While some of his selected individuals boast relevant experience, numerous others are personal acquaintances or Fox News personalities who have repeatedly praised Trump.
Several nominees have also been accused of sexual misconduct. Hegseth, an Army veteran and television host, is drawing scrutiny after Gaetz. Following Trump’s announcement of Hegseth for the Pentagon post, allegations resurfaced alleging he assaulted a woman in California in 2017. According to a police report, the woman claimed he blocked her exit from the hotel room and confiscated her phone. Hegseth has insisted the encounter was consensual and has denied any misconduct. Nevertheless, he settled with the woman confidentially in 2023, with his attorney stating the payment was made to mitigate the risk of an unfounded lawsuit.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., elected to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, also faces accusations of misconduct. A former babysitter for him and his second wife disclosed to a magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was in her twenties. He did not refute the claims but sent an apology via text after the article was published. In addition to these allegations, Kennedy has faced scrutiny for spreading misinformation regarding vaccines, raising concerns about his suitability for the health secretary position.
Linda McMahon, whom Trump has chosen for the education secretary role, is currently involved in legal action relating to her former enterprise, World Wrestling Entertainment. Notably, she is accused of facilitating the sexual exploitation of minors by an employee dating back to the 1980s, an allegation she denies.
Tulsi Gabbard could also encounter a challenging confirmation process, albeit for entirely different reasons. Recently appointed to be national intelligence director, she has been a vocal supporter of Trump. Nevertheless, her history of amplifying Russian propaganda has raised alarms among lawmakers and national security officials, leading critics to warn that her involvement may jeopardize U.S. alliances.
Matt Gaetz himself had been under investigation for potential sex trafficking by federal authorities, with the case ultimately being closed without any charges. However, details regarding the allegations have surfaced, including claims that Gaetz paid women for sex. Eyewitness accounts disclosed to the ethics committee indicated that Gaetz was seen engaging in sexual activities with a 17-year-old girl.
During meetings with senators this week, it became apparent that Gaetz would face significant opposition from lawmakers concerned about his qualifications and behaviors. He announced his withdrawal on social media, remarking, “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction.”
Senator Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, estimated that around four to six party members likely would have opposed Gaetz’s nomination, which could have ultimately led to its demise. He emphasized that the surrounding issues were “maybe beyond the pale.” “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke,” Braun stated.
Trump expressed gratitude to Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, without addressing the accusations against him, writing, “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect.”