Trump dropped Gaetz after complaining about high political cost of defending him

Donald Trump found himself in a challenging position as he tried to salvage the sinking nomination of Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Despite his efforts to rally support among senators, the president-elect realized that he was running out of political capital. Trump confided in his top advisers, including JD Vance and Stephen Miller, expressing his frustration at the lack of progress in securing Gaetz’s nomination.

After a lawmaker warned Trump about the cost of pushing Gaetz’s nomination further, the president-elect decided to withdraw his support. Instead, he turned to Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general with a solid reputation and experience that Gaetz lacked. Bondi quickly emerged as a viable alternative to Gaetz, especially considering the allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against the former congressman.

While Gaetz faced mounting scrutiny and eventually withdrew his nomination, attention turned to other key appointments. Pete Hegseth’s nomination to run the Pentagon’s global bureaucracy came under scrutiny following reports of a past incident involving a woman who accused him of sexual assault. Despite the controversy, the transition team believed that Hegseth would likely be confirmed.

However, concerns were raised about Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for director of national intelligence and RFK Jr.’s bid to become HHS secretary. Gabbard’s lack of experience in national security and controversial meetings with foreign leaders raised questions about her qualifications. RFK Jr.’s history of embracing conspiracy theories, including his views on the COVID-19 pandemic, further fueled opposition to his nomination.

As Trump’s Cabinet nominations faced increased scrutiny, the diversity of his picks became apparent. From Marco Rubio as secretary of State to controversial figures like Hegseth, Gabbard, and RFK Jr., Trump’s choices spanned a wide ideological spectrum. Despite some internal jockeying and leaks, Trump’s transition team remained focused on moving forward with the confirmation process.

Ultimately, Trump’s decision to pick Gaetz may have been impulsive or intended as a statement against the establishment. Regardless of the reasons behind the initial nomination, Trump’s handling of the transition process was seen as generally successful, with some exceptions. As the incoming administration continued to navigate the confirmation process, Trump remained focused on building a diverse and qualified Cabinet.