Prominent legal commentator David Lat suggests how to prevent the former Florida congressman from becoming the next attorney general.
Senate Democrats should quiz former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz about the law in order to “torpedo” his chances of becoming the next attorney general, according to a legal expert.
David Lat, a former federal prosecutor and legal commentator, wrote in his Original Jurisdiction blog about the likelihood of Gaetz becoming attorney general following the president-elect’s surprise pick for him to lead the Department of Justice in the next Cabinet.
Lat said Gaetz’s chances of getting Senate confirmation are “slim” but not zero after receiving the support of Trump, even as some GOP lawmakers have spoken out against the nomination. It remains to be seen if the Senate will vote on whether to confirm Trump’s choice as attorney general or if the president-elect succeeds in his wish to push his Cabinet picks through via a recess appointment instead.
Lat has also offered advice to Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will consider Gaetz’s nomination, on how to undermine the former congressman’s prospects of becoming the next attorney general.
“Don’t waste your time on speechifying, which will just cause Gaetz to speechify back—something he’s actually capable of”, Lat said. “Instead, ask him rapid-fire questions about substantive law, à la Senator John Kennedy questioning judicial nominees, and let Gaetz self-asphyxiate (which he might get off on, but it’s your best shot at torpedoing his nomination).
