The NPR Politics Podcast
Episode: Trump's Controversial Attorney General Pick Withdraws
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Hosts: Tamara Keith, Susan Davis, Mara Liasson

Introduction

In this episode of The NPR Politics Podcast, host Tamara Keith, alongside Susan Davis and Mara Liasson, delves into the withdrawal of former Congressman Matt Gaetz from consideration for the position of Attorney General in the Trump administration. The discussion provides an in-depth analysis of the factors leading to Gaetz's withdrawal, the implications for the Trump transition, and the broader context of upcoming cabinet nominations.

Matt Gaetz Withdraws His Nomination

[01:18] Tamara Keith:
“President elect Donald Trump's pick to be attorney general has withdrawn from consideration. Matt Gaetz, the former congressman from Florida, made the announcement in a statement this afternoon.”

Matt Gaetz announced his withdrawal via X (formerly Twitter), citing that his confirmation process had become a distraction to the critical work of the Trump-Vance transition team.

[01:20] Susan Davis:
“There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.”

Reasons Behind Gaetz’s Withdrawal

Susan Davis outlines several key reasons for Gaetz's withdrawal:

1. Lack of Legal Experience:
   Gaetz did not possess significant legal credentials necessary for the role of Attorney General, raising concerns about his qualifications.

2. Controversial Reputation:
   Known for his provocative persona on Capitol Hill, Gaetz was not well-regarded among his peers. His role in ousting former Speaker Kevin McCarthy further alienated him from colleagues.

3. Ethics and Legal Investigations:
   Gaetz was under investigation for alleged sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. Although the Justice Department did not press charges, the House Ethics Committee continued its probe. Gaetz’s confrontational stance towards the Ethics Committee and his refusal to cooperate exacerbated the situation.

[02:59] Susan Davis:
“Gates had a very confrontational relationship with the Ethics Committee and was refusing to participate in that investigation.”

4. Political Landscape:
   From the moment Trump announced Gaetz as his nominee, it was evident that securing Senate confirmation would be challenging due to the aforementioned issues.

House Ethics Report and Its Implications

The House Ethics Committee was deadlocked on releasing the report into Gaetz's conduct. While both Republicans and Democrats called for its release, disagreements within the committee prevented consensus.

[03:12] Susan Davis:
“Gates, it seemed to be the clear that he was resigning from Congress to try to stop this report from ever coming out.”

With Gaetz’s resignation, the impetus to release the unfinished Ethics report diminished, as the Senate's need to scrutinize the nominee waned alongside his withdrawal.

Senate Confirmation Process for Other Nominees

Following Gaetz's withdrawal, attention turned to other controversial cabinet nominees:

1. Pete Hegseth for the Department of Defense
2. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Department of Health and Human Services
3. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

[07:59] Mara Liasson:
“I think it probably does make it easier. This is a Senate that didn't want to go up against its brand new president of their own party.”

Mara Liasson suggests that Gaetz’s exit may streamline the confirmation process for the remaining nominees, as the Senate may seek to avoid further confrontations with the Trump administration.

[08:36] Susan Davis:
“Some combination of these folks are going to get confirmed. I think each of them presents different comfort levels for different Republican senators.”

Susan Davis emphasizes that while each nominee has varying degrees of support among Republican senators, the overarching trend indicates a probable confirmation to maintain party cohesion.

Potential Impact on Trump's Transition

The withdrawal of Gaetz reflects the broader dynamics within the Republican Party and the Trump administration's influence over the nomination process.

[05:05] Susan Davis:
“The potential for confrontation here is still very, very real.”

Despite Gaetz’s withdrawal, tensions remain high as Trump continues to push for nominees aligned with his vision, potentially leading to future conflicts within the party.

[09:58] Mara Liasson:
“If he wants to use the Department of Justice to go after his political enemies, which he has said many times he does, I expect that he will get somebody who can pass the Senate that will do that.”

Mara Liasson predicts that the next Attorney General will likely align closely with Trump’s objectives, particularly regarding the use of the Department of Justice in political matters.

Future of Matt Gaetz

Discussions also touched upon Matt Gaetz's future post-withdrawal:

[11:11] Mara Liasson:
“What is next for Matt Gates?”

Susan Davis responds by outlining the improbability of Gaetz rejoining Congress, given his efforts to suppress the Ethics report and the potential reignition of investigations.

[11:21] Susan Davis:
“Considering how hard he's worked to keep that report out of the public eye, that seems unlikely at this moment.”

Conclusion

The episode concludes with an analysis of the ongoing challenges within the Trump transition, highlighting the delicate balance the Senate must maintain in confirming nominees while navigating internal party dynamics and ethical considerations.

[12:00] Tamara Keith:
“And thank you for listening to the NPR Politics podcast.”

Notable Quotes

• Susan Davis [02:59]:
  “Gates had a very confrontational relationship with the Ethics Committee and was refusing to participate in that investigation.”

• Mara Liasson [07:59]:
  “I think it probably does make it easier. This is a Senate that didn't want to go up against its brand new president of their own party.”

• Mara Liasson [09:58]:
  “If he wants to use the Department of Justice to go after his political enemies, which he has said many times he does, I expect that he will get somebody who can pass the Senate that will do that.”

Final Thoughts

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the complexities surrounding Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal as Attorney General nominee, the implications for the Trump administration’s cabinet selections, and the broader political landscape within the Senate and the Republican Party.