Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) recently shared his thoughts on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) nomination to become Attorney General under President-elect Donald Trump, saying there was “no reason” for Gaetz to have been considered for the position in the first place. Appearing on Fox News’s “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Monday, McCarthy was asked about Gaetz’s controversial nomination and the fallout that followed.
McCarthy pointed to a recent poll showing widespread public approval for Trump’s transition decisions, despite some of the contentious picks. “Right now, if you look at the approval rating for Trump and his transition, it’s very high,” McCarthy said. “By removing that problem (referring to Gaetz’s withdrawal), he’s in a much better place.”
When Watters inquired if McCarthy considered Gaetz the problem in the situation, McCarthy was blunt. “Well, that’s a concern for all young girls,” he said, referring to the ongoing investigations and serious allegations against Gaetz. The former Florida congressman had been under investigation in connection with a broader sex trafficking probe, and the House Ethics Committee voted to continue its investigation into allegations of his involvement with an underage woman. These developments led to Gaetz’s decision to withdraw from consideration for the attorney general position.
Before Gaetz’s official withdrawal, McCarthy had already dismissed the possibility of him being confirmed. “Everyone knows he won’t get confirmed,” McCarthy stated shortly after the nomination was announced.
In his interview on Monday, McCarthy emphasized that the women making allegations against Gaetz deserve justice, adding, “There’s no reason why that man should’ve ever been nominated.”
Following Gaetz’s exit, Trump quickly nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his new choice for the position, a move that has received a more positive reception within conservative circles. McCarthy, for his part, has made it clear that he believes Bondi is a much stronger candidate for the role.
This exchange highlights the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges Trump faces in selecting nominees who can unite the GOP, even as some of his picks spark controversy.