What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general

Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz’s nomination to become Donald Trump’s new attorney general has caused a remarkable amount of hesitation among Republicans, who are otherwise inclined to follow Trump’s wishes.

Gaetz is unpopular with many fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives because of his attempt to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a long string of stories about his personal conduct, including a federal investigation into allegations that he arranged sex with a minor. The investigation was concluded without charges and Gaetz denies wrongdoing.

Other Republicans said Wednesday and Thursday they would consider Gaetz’s nomination with an open mind or were sympathetic to his advocacy for Trump. Gaetz is a longtime Trump supporter and regularly campaigned for him.

This is what Republicans are saying about him:

REP. DON BACON, Nebraska:

“Growing up, I was told that if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.”

JOHN BOLTON, former UN Ambassador and National Security Advisor:

“It has to be the worst nomination for a Cabinet secretary in American history. I think this is something that is far beyond the scope of deference that should be given to a president when appointing members of the senior team. Not only is Gaetz completely incompetent for the job, he doesn’t have the character. He is a person of moral turpitude.”

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS, Maine

“Obviously the president has the right to nominate whoever he wants, but this is where the Senate’s advice and consent process is so important. I am sure that many questions will arise during Mr. Gaetz’s confirmation hearing if the nomination actually goes forward.”

SEN. JOHN CORNYN, Texas:

“We will treat it like any other nomination. I’m not going to prejudge any of these things.”

SEN. KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota:

“I think it’s a bit of a test.” “It will take a lot of political capital to get him,” he confirmed.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, South Carolina:

“I tend to help presidents with their choices. But he will have to answer some tough questions at the hearing, and we’ll see how he does that,” Graham said in a statement released Wednesday.

Later Wednesday, during an interview with Fox News Channel, Graham said, “I think Matt Gaetz is very smart. I think he’s qualified. He’s going to have a hearing and he’s going to have to answer some tough questions,” and suggested that Republicans “give Matt a chance.”

SENATE GOP LEADER JOHN THUNE, South Dakota:

“That’s probably a good question for the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.”

SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY, Iowa, the likely next chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee:

“I think I should take a look at it. That’s all I can say at this point because I don’t know much about Matt Gaetz.

HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON, Louisiana:

Gaetz is “one of the most intelligent” members of Congress and “a reformer in his mind and heart.” “I think he will bring a lot to the table on that.”

REP. ANNA PAULINA LUNA, Florida:

“So a lot of people will try to brand him. But the fact is that there is a lot of strategy behind Gaetz’s attempt to unseat former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

SEN. MARKWAYNE MULLIN, OK:

“Matt Gaetz and I, there’s no doubt about it, we’ve had our differences. I fully trust President Trump’s decision-making in this area. But at the same time, (Gaetz) has to come to the Senate and sell himself. There are going to be a lot of questions out there. He has to answer those questions.”

SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska:

“I don’t see him as a serious candidate. The president is free to nominate whoever he wants. Our constitutional role in appointments is to provide advice. … I don’t know if any of my colleagues in the Senate are recommending that Matt Gaetz’s name should go up, but it’s what (Trump) has apparently put forward. But then our role is to determine the consent end of it. Do we give our consent or not?”

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, Florida.

“I’ve known Matt for a long time. We are friends. I think he would do a very good job for the president.”

REP. MIKE SIMPSON, Idaho:

“That was about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time. I find it hard to believe he could get through the Senate confirmation process. You never know.”

SEN. THOM TILLIS, North Carolina:

“I have very few skills. Counting votes is one thing. I think he still has a lot of work to do to get 50” votes in the Senate. “Presumably the people who brought him forward tried that out. But I’m sure it will result in a confirmation hearing for eating popcorn. Mr. Gaetz and I have been jousting between the House of Representatives and the Senate on certain issues. …There have obviously been a lot of disagreements between members of the Senate and Mr. Gaetz.”

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Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri, Stephen Groves, Kevin Freking, Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.