We witnessed only a small glimpse of the dialogue between President Joe Biden and president-elect Donald Trump at the White House.
A few remarks were shared by each during the “room spray” at the beginning of the meeting, when photographers and journalists are permitted to enter the Oval Office at the starting phase of the gathering.
“Welcome back” stood out as the most notable statement from Joe Biden.
Later, Trump departed without being seen by reporters gathered in the “stakeout” area at the West Wing portico, who had anticipated hearing a few words from this notoriously loquacious politician. But no, nothing. A smooth and orderly transition of power is in progress.
As soon as Trump’s jet touched down in Palm Beach, he took to his social media platform Truth Social to name Florida congressman Matt Gaetz as his choice for Attorney General. This announcement has sent shockwaves through the political establishment in Washington D.C., both Republican and Democratic.
First, let’s discuss the role. The Attorney General is arguably the most critical appointment in the Trump cabinet. It’s an important position for any president—overseeing the Justice Department and its investigative arm, the FBI—responsible for making vital decisions on sensitive prosecutions.
The individual who takes on this role will need to navigate the inherent sensitivities of such a powerful position. However, they will also be thrust into the unique circumstances surrounding Donald Trump, who has been under investigation by the same Department of Justice—resulting in criminal indictments facilitated by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith over cases related to election interference and classified documents.
Blocked by the Supreme Court and facing the imminent deadline of the presidential election, those federal cases seem stagnant, with recent reports indicating that Smith is considering wrapping up the investigations and even resigning from the Department of Justice before the Trump administration can dismiss him.
State-level election interference investigations remain active in Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, and Nevada. Trump is a defendant in the Georgia case and is an unindicted co-conspirator in the others. In each situation, key members of his former administration face accusations; notably, four individuals have submitted guilty pleas in Georgia.
Vice president-elect JD Vance remarked before the election that the selection of Attorney General was going to be Trump’s most crucial decision. So, who did he appoint?
Matt Gaetz is one of the most polarizing figures in the House of Representatives. Outspoken, fiery, combative, and ultra MAGA, he is often mentioned alongside fellow representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert.
Gaetz co-sponsored a bill with Greene to impeach President Biden. He has also sought to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over border policies. Additionally, he played a significant role in the removal of his own party leader in the House, Speaker Kevin McCarthy—a shift that delayed $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.
He ultimately voted against that aid when the bill passed in April.
JD Vance stated that the Attorney General pick would be Trump’s most crucial selection.
At that time, McCarthy accused Gaetz of intensifying the attack to detract from his own investigation by the House Ethics Committee, a process that remains unresolved.
The inquiry pertains to allegations that Gaetz was involved in the trafficking of a minor—a 17-year-old girl—across state lines for sexual purposes. This allegation was previously investigated by the Department of Justice and Trump’s Attorney General, Bill Barr, who passed the case on to Biden’s AG, Merrick Garland.
The department chose not to pursue prosecution in early 2023 due to concerns regarding witness reliability. Subsequently, the House of Representatives initiated its inquiry. Gaetz denies all allegations.
A lawyer by profession, Gaetz comes from a family of politicians and is well-acquainted with the challenges of political life. He thrives on conflict and controversy, having been a staunch defender of Donald Trump during his legal issues, vehemently accusing the administration of “weaponizing” the Department of Justice to target political adversaries.
Now, the D.C. establishment is wary that Gaetz may weaponize the very same Department of Justice against Trump’s opponents. For Trump’s supporters, this could signify a defense of democracy.
This group views the prosecution of Trump and others, particularly the January 6, 2021, rioters who assaulted the U.S. Capitol and its guardians, as a threat to democracy and freedom of speech.
Supporters are eager to see Trump pardon those who have been convicted, individuals whom the president-elect has frequently termed “political prisoners.”
The new Attorney General will also be expected to provide legal “top cover” for Trump’s plans to deport illegal immigrants by ensuring that department personnel do not obstruct the initiative. They have been forewarned by Trump advisors since at least early October that their positions could be at risk.
The Gaetz nomination has overshadowed the nomination of Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense with relative ease. Most criticisms of Hegseth centered on his lack of experience at the Pentagon.
A decorated war veteran, Hegseth served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a junior officer with the Minnesota National Guard, and has been an active advocate for military veterans.
He is also vocally critical of top generals and admirals for being “woke” and allegedly undermining the U.S.’s military capabilities, including focusing his attention on the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Gaetz nomination has indeed overshadowed that of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense.
Both Hegseth and Gaetz will undergo confirmation hearings and Senate votes unless Trump opts for a controversial strategy known as a recess appointment, potentially allowing him to bypass the traditional process for at least two years.
Despite the Republican Party’s comfortable control of the Senate, Trump might face challenges in the upper chamber.
While Trump was engaged in discussions with Biden at the White House, Republican senators convened to vote on a new leader to succeed Mitch McConnell, who had previously caused issues for Trump on multiple occasions.
Among the three candidates, Trump’s chosen successor was the first to be eliminated. In the final round, John Thune, who represents a faction opposed by the MAGA movement, emerged victorious. This outcome sparked indignation among the MAGA base.
This may illustrate that the senators intend to adopt a more independent stance toward the incoming administration, safeguarding their own power and constitutional roles in the process.
Thune, who previously served as chief whip, aligns more closely with McConnell’s philosophy than with the MAGA ideology.
Although Republicans seem to have maintained control of the House of Representatives, securing a slim majority of 218 seats with seven still to be declared, it is expected to be a very narrow majority—likely even smaller than the outgoing, fractious House.
Additionally, due to Gaetz and two other cabinet nominees from the House, the Republican majority is vulnerable, at least until special elections (similar to by-elections) can be conducted to fill those vacancies.
Thus, the path forward for the incoming Trump administration may not be as straightforward as it initially appears. Nevertheless, Gaetz’s nomination signals that Trump is feeling quite optimistic.
