Staff Reports
It appears the Donald Trump administration is once again searching for the right individual to fill the coveted position of attorney general, a role that has sparked as much controversy as a toddler with a full box of crayons in a fancy restaurant. The high-profile candidate that Trump had initially set his sights on, the embattled Matt Gaetz, has decided to take a step back from consideration, which leaves many wondering who will get the golden ticket next.
Before Gaetz made his grand exit like a magician revealing the disappearing act, Trump had cast his net a bit wider. Names like John Ratcliffe and Matt Whitaker floated around previously, but they found themselves in other appointments within the Trump administration. But worry not, for the list of potential AG candidates is anything but short. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was in the running, but apparently, he didn’t quite make the cut according to Trump’s high standards—if only being a vocal Trump supporter was the only criterion!
Lots of fun joining @Morning_Joe this AM to discuss the latest on Trump’s nominations.
Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for AG yesterday as the House Ethics Committee weighed releasing its report. Now, scrutiny will likely increase on Pete Hegseth. @thehill (1/2) pic.twitter.com/9qzt0Wesj1
— Mychael Schnell (@mychaelschnell) November 22, 2024
Nevertheless, Ken Paxton, Texas’s own attorney general, is gathering a fan club of Trump loyalists, not to mention that notable conservative attorney Mark Paoletta is also in the mix. While the “Let’s Make America Great Again” crowd loves a good AG showdown, the stipulations for the position are reaching epic proportions. After the grievances that Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr caused by failing to align with the Trump narrative, the next attorney general must have a spine of steel and a loyalty to rival that of a faithful golden retriever.
Trump has made it clear that he’s looking for someone who will take a flamethrower to the status quo. Not only does he intend to deal out justice to prosecutors like special counsel Jack Smith, but he also entertains ambitious plans to rectify the immigration situation and dismantle any lingering remnants of “wokeism” within the Department of Justice. That means, in no uncertain terms, that the next appointee must be as steadfast as they come, ready to go toe-to-toe with liberal governors who might attempt to swoon their way out of complying with his strategies.
Perhaps the most entertaining aspect of this unfolding drama is the idea floated around by a few senators who have suggested that either Ted Cruz or Mike Lee could be front-runners for the position. While Cruz is known for his formidable legal expertise, Lee’s impressive background—complete with a prestigious Supreme Court clerkship—certainly gives him a leg up in a world that demands legal prowess along with a fearless approach to tackling the swamp. Yet even with these potential candidates, there is a lingering uncertainty regarding who will actually get to don the attorney general cape.
If Gaetz’s controversial history shows us anything, it’s that the road to the attorney generalship isn’t paved with just loyalty; it also requires the grace of Teflon. Now that he’s out of the race, Trump is left to sift through the legal eagles in the Senate and external circles, all while navigating the intricacies of his grand vision for a revamped DOJ. Whatever direction he takes, it is sure to make for an entertaining spectacle, and possibly a rollercoaster of political drama that rivals any reality TV series.
