The nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) for Attorney General in Donald Trump’s upcoming administration faced an unexpected setback, leading to concerns about the political influence of Vice President-elect J.D. Vance. Gaetz’s sudden withdrawal from a Senate hearing has raised doubts about Vance’s ability to secure support for controversial nominations, despite his behind-the-scenes efforts to aid the embattled Florida Republican.
A report from the Wall Street Journal reveals that Vance had been assigned the task of shepherding Gaetz through Congress to drum up support for his Attorney General nomination. However, Gaetz unexpectedly withdrew on Thursday, throwing a wrench into Vance’s strategy. Despite the setback, Vance had worked to ensure that Gaetz received a positive reception among senators.
According to the Journal, Vance had successfully accompanied Gaetz to meet with Senate colleagues to address concerns about his nomination, and by the end of the day, many lawmakers had expressed optimism about his confirmation prospects. “Gaetz said he got a warm reception, and it marked a ‘great day of momentum’ for the Trump-Vance administration,” wrote the Journal’s Vivian Salama and Lindsay Wise. However, just 24 hours later, Gaetz’s sudden exit from the process raised concerns.
This turn of events led to questions about Vance’s effectiveness in the Senate, especially as Trump continues to rely on figures like billionaire Elon Musk to navigate the public stage, leaving Vance working more behind the scenes. The report added that Vance’s influence on Capitol Hill is now under scrutiny. While he had helped Gaetz make progress, his failure to secure the nomination for the controversial pick has raised questions about his role in Trump’s administration.
“It may be awkward for Vance, given the president-elect routinely hands out his cellphone number to allies on the Hill and elsewhere, and encourages them to reach out directly when needed,” the report notes, emphasizing the challenges Vance may face in his relationship with Trump and his allies in Washington.
As the Trump administration moves forward, the withdrawal of Gaetz from the nomination process has left an open question regarding Vance’s future role in shaping policy and navigating Capitol Hill, especially with the presence of other influential figures such as Robert Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk.
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