Could Matt Gaetz Face GOP Revolt? What Senate Republicans Have Said

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the nomination of Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida for attorney general, describing him as a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney.”

Gaetz will need to be confirmed by a simple majority in the Senate, which will comprise 53 Republican senators to 47 aligned with the Democrats following the November 5 elections. Several Senate Republicans have expressed skepticism over Gaetz’s selection, with one saying “we need to have a serious attorney general.” Another expressed shock though none have explicitly said they would vote against his confirmation.

Gaetz is a controversial figure within the party, particularly because of his role in bringing down House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023. The Florida Republican was also facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of illegal drug use and sexual misconduct, which he denies. In April, McCarthy said he was no longer Speaker because “one person…wanted me to stop an ethics complaint because he slept with a 17-year-old.”

Between 2020 and 2022, Gaetz was investigated by the Justice Department—which he has been nominated to lead—over a possible violation of federal sex trafficking laws. As part of the investigation, the FBI seized Gaetz’s cellphone, as well as one belonging to his ex-girlfriend, though no charges were brought and Gaetz described the allegations against him as an “organized criminal extortion.”

If all Democratic-aligned (including independents) senators vote against Gaetz’s confirmation, it would take just three Republicans to block him. Speaking to Fox News, Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama warned his colleagues that “we’re gonna try to get you out of the Senate if you try to do that.”

Newsweek has summarized the reactions of Senate Republicans to Gaetz’s nomination. Representative Gaetz was contacted for comment by Newsweek via email on Wednesday.

Lisa Murkowski, Alaska

Speaking to NBC News, Murkowski expressed skepticism about Trump’s choice of Gaetz, saying: “I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general. We need to have a serious attorney general. And I’m looking forward to the opportunity to consider somebody that is serious. This one was not on my bingo card.”

Murkowski has a long history of opposing Trump. In February 2021, she was one of seven Republican Senators who voted to convict the former president at his impeachment trial following the January 6 Capital Hill riot, though the bid was ultimately unsuccessful.

In 2017, Murkowski opposed Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary who ultimately got the job thanks to Vice-President Mike Pence’s tie-breaking vote after the Senate was split 50-50.

Susan Collins, Maine

Speaking to CNN about Gaetz’s nomination, Senator Collins said: “I was shocked that he has been nominated.

“If the nomination proceeds, I’m sure that there will be an extensive background check by the FBI and public hearings and a lot of questions asked.”

Like Murkowski, with whom she has worked closely, Collins voted to convict Trump at his second impeachment trial in February 2021.

Lindsey Graham, South Carolina

Senator Graham, a Trump supporter widely seen as a Senate GOP moderate, reacted to Gaetz’s nomination during a Fox News appearance.

He said: “So, we’re going to give the president a chance to put his people forward. To every Republican: Give Matt a chance.

“I say elections have consequences when Republicans don’t like it, and I’m telling my Democratic friends, elections have consequences whether you like it or not.”

Joni Ernst, Iowa

Ernst said Gaetz “has his work cut out for him” to be confirmed as attorney general, according to Politico.

John Cornyn, Texas

Speaking to The New York Times about the nomination, Cornyn said: “I’m still trying to absorb all this. I don’t really know him, other than his public persona.”

Marco Rubio, Florida

Senator Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of state, welcomed Gaetz’s nomination.
According to PBS, he said: “I’ve known Matt for a very long time. We’re friends. I think he would do a very good job for the president.”

Katie Britt, Alabama

When asked about Gaetz’s nomination, Britt replied: “I’ve got nothing for you,” according to Alabama Public Radio.

Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma

Senator Mullin said he and Gaetz had “had our differences” in the past but added, “I completely trust President Trump’s decision-making on this one.”

However, he also said: “But at the same time, [Gaetz] has to come to…the Senate and sell himself. There’s a lot of questions that are going to be out there. He’s got to answer those questions.”

Tommy Tuberville, Alabama

Senator Tuberville welcomed Gaetz’s nomination and delivered a stern warning to any Senate Republicans who might oppose him.

Tuberville, a loyal Trump supporter, said: “I’ve already seen where a couple says, ‘I’m not voting for him.’

“This is the last chance we’re gonna have of saving this country. And if you wanna get in the way, fine.

“But we’re gonna try to get you out of the Senate, too if you try to do that.”

Chuck Grassley, Iowa

Responding to the nomination, Grassley said: “All I’m interested in [for] who’s the next attorney general: is he going to fight crime, enforce the law, and will he answer the 40 letters that this Justice Department has not answered on my investigations?”

On Wednesday, via X, formerly Twitter, Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan wrote: “Chuck Grassley was so exasperated by Gaetz questions that he stopped talking to reporters & stood there stonefaced for 30 seconds.”

Mike Crapo, Idaho

Speaking to ABC News about the nomination, Crapo said he would “have to dig into it” as he doesn’t know Gaetz. Asked whether the Florida Republican could be confirmed, he added: “I have no idea, but I assume so.”