Debate continued on Sunday over Donald Trump’s controversial choice of Matt Gaetz, the former Florida congressman accused of sexual misconduct, as US attorney general. Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin called for an unreleased ethics report on Gaetz to be made available to the Senate.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Mullin noted the significance of the report, while Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman urged his party to avoid overreacting to Trump’s moves. Fetterman emphasized that Republicans currently have the upper hand and said Democrats should focus on the bigger picture rather than “freaking out” over individual nominations or tweets.
Fetterman, who recently secured re-election, said he welcomed the chance to review Trump’s nominations. However, he described some choices, including Gaetz, as “absolute trolls.” He warned Democrats to prioritize their efforts, noting that Republicans could dominate politically for the next two years if left unchecked.
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator-elect Adam Schiff criticized Gaetz’s nomination on CNN, calling him “disqualified” due to allegations of child sex trafficking, drug use, and obstruction of justice. Schiff questioned Gaetz’s qualifications, pointing out that he has no Justice Department experience and has only been investigated by it.
The Senate will oversee Gaetz’s confirmation hearings, and Mullin said the ethics report should be accessible to senators, though he stopped short of advocating for its public release. Gaetz, who denies all allegations, resigned from Congress last week, just after Trump’s announcement.
House Speaker Mike Johnson reiterated on Sunday that the ethics report should remain confidential. Johnson stated that the ethics committee typically does not address non-members and noted the rarity of exceptions to this principle. While Johnson claimed no authority to block the report’s release, he expressed concern about setting a precedent.
Trump’s selection of Gaetz appears to serve as both a provocation to Democrats and a test of Republican loyalty. Mullin has previously criticized Gaetz as “unprincipled,” referencing allegations that Gaetz shared explicit photos with colleagues. Despite this, Mullin said he would give Gaetz a “fair shot” during confirmation.
Senior Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins, John Cornyn, and Thom Tillis, have also voiced support for allowing senators to review the ethics report, suggesting that its contents will likely surface in some form during the confirmation process.
