Picking Matt Gaetz

Donald Trump has criticized the Justice Department for investigating him, vowed to fire career officials who resist his agenda and pledged to use the department to punish his political opponents. Yesterday, he picked a nominee for attorney general who would help him accomplish those goals: Representative Matt Gaetz.

Gaetz, a Florida Republican, says Trump’s ties to Russia should never have been investigated. He wants “the Biden crime family” to face justice. And he called nonpartisan D.O.J. officials whom he may soon oversee the “deep state.” He has introduced legislation that would limit sentences for people who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 and suggested “abolishing every one of the three-letter agencies,” including the F.B.I.

Gaetz’s confirmation is not a sure thing. Some Senate Republicans reacted with alarm to his nomination, and the hearings in the Senate could test how far they are willing to go in support of Trump’s agenda.

Gaetz was himself the subject of a Justice Department investigation into allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and broke sex-trafficking laws, which concluded last year without charges. He also faced an ongoing House Ethics Committee inquiry. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing in both cases.

Gaetz’s chances

Republicans will likely have a small majority in the Senate, 53-47. If no Democrats support Gaetz, Republicans can lose only three votes and still confirm him. Several Senate Republicans indicated yesterday that they were unsure about whether they would vote for Gaetz.

Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, expressed relief that the Senate had the ability to block Gaetz. “I was shocked by the announcement — that shows why the advise and consent process is so important,” she said.