'Full-circle moment': 'Constitutional clash' in Congress mirrors 'epic rivalry' between 2 Republicans

Of all the possible nominees for President-elect Donald Trump's second administration, the one that is generating the most controversy of all is former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) for U.S. attorney general — a position presently held by Merrick Garland under outgoing President Joe Biden.

A key factor in Trump wanting Gaetz to head the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is the fact that the MAGA Republican is an unwavering Trump loyalist.

But Gaetz has more than his share of critics among fellow Republicans. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), both moderate conservatives, were shocked that Trump wants to put Gaetz in charge of DOJ. And former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) remains a fierce critic of Gaetz, who triggered the "motion to vacate" that resulted in McCarthy being ousted from that position.

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The New York Times' Annie Karni, in an article published on November 17, notes that Gaetz has been investigated for sex trafficking allegations — although the investigation was closed, and the MAGA ex-congressman was never charged with anything.

"When Speaker Mike Johnson said last week that he would 'strongly request' that a damning congressional ethics report on the conduct of former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida be kept under wraps," Karni reports, "it was a full-circle moment for the man at the center of the controversy. After all, Mr. Gaetz was the one who orchestrated the coup against the last speaker, Kevin McCarthy, that made room for Mr. Johnson, a little-known Louisiana Republican, to ascend to the top job in the House….. Now, Mr. McCarthy is long gone, Mr. Gaetz is the president-elect's choice to run the Justice Department, and Mr. Johnson is doing what Mr. McCarthy never would — intervening to try to make sure the damaging material on Mr. Gaetz never sees the light of day."

Both Democratic and GOP senators, Karni reports, "have demanded to see the report as they consider Mr. Gaetz's nomination to be attorney general."

According to Karni, "That could lead to a constitutional clash between the House and the Senate, which is charged in Article II with vetting and confirming presidential nominees."

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The bitter animosity between McCarthy and Gaetz, according to Karni, has underscored the divisions among House Republicans in recent years.

McCarthy and Gaetz were political enemies when Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) was still House speaker, and their feud continued after Republicans recaptured the House and McCarthy became speaker.

"Their epic rivalry became emblematic of the party's deeper problems," Karni notes. "Personal vendettas and shifting alliances became as important to its players as any ideology or policy win. Over the past two years in Congress, governing often took a back seat to intraparty feuding."

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Read the full New York Times report at this link (subscription required).