“That Is So Frigging Laughable”: GOP Resistance to Matt Gaetz Nomination Sparks Criticism
Michael Steele is seen at the Pasadena Convention Center, California. Steele said on Saturday morning that he is “fed up” with Republicans’ claims about the 2020 election being stolen from Donald Trump. Michael Schwartz/Getty Images
On Saturday morning, former RNC chair Michael Steele dismissed reports that a majority of Senate Republicans are privately opposed to confirming Rep. Matt Gaetz as Donald Trump’s Attorney General nominee. Speaking on MSNBC’s The Weekend, Steele and former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) criticized Senate Republicans for their lack of public opposition, questioning their willingness to take a firm stand against Gaetz’s controversial nomination.
Leaks and Resistance
The discussion began with Walsh predicting a wave of damaging leaks about Gaetz and ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence. Walsh argued these leaks could derail their confirmation hearings before they even begin. “There will be a flood of leaks… that would kneecap their ability to even get a confirmation hearing before the Senate,” Walsh stated, told Newsweek.
MSNBC host Alicia Menendez followed up, citing NBC’s Julie Tsirkin, who reported that a majority of Senate Republicans privately oppose Gaetz’s confirmation. However, she noted Trump’s team remains determined to push the nomination through, despite the potential for an “ugly battle.” “So, to your point about cowardice, they know. Whether they will say it with their face and name attached is a different question,” Menendez added.
“So Frigging Laughable”
Steele responded with sharp criticism, mocking the GOP senators for their behind-the-scenes objections. “That is so frigging laughable,” Steele said, referring to their reluctance to publicly oppose Trump.
Drawing parallels to the aftermath of January 6th, Steele questioned the sincerity of Republicans who privately expressed dissent without taking action. “Is this the same private folks that told us after January 6th that the president of the United States was about to be impeached because everybody went to the floor and they said privately that is what is going to happen?” he asked sarcastically.
A Political Chess Move?
Steele also speculated about the motivations behind Gaetz’s nomination, suggesting it might be a calculated move to solve internal GOP problems. “You’ve got Speaker [Mike] Johnson and Donald Trump having a conversation,” Steele theorized. “Johnson is like, ‘We have a problem, can you help me out? Can you make an appointment?’ Oh, sure. So you get [Gaetz] out of the House. He is gone and no longer a House problem, and then it’s Trump’s problem.”
The Bigger Picture
The ongoing controversy surrounding Gaetz highlights fractures within the Republican Party as Trump’s influence continues to polarize its members. While some GOP senators may resist Gaetz’s confirmation, Steele and Walsh argue their reluctance to publicly oppose Trump exposes deeper issues of accountability and courage within the party.
