President-elect Donald Trump’s surprise nomination of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz took the internet by storm Wednesday. The predominant thought from both sides of the political and ideological aisles was, “What the hell was Trump thinking?”
There are several possible explanations for the choice:
Donald Trump values loyalty above all other traits in those he would choose to help him govern. Matt Gaetz has been as loyal as anyone other than Trump’s direct family. His dedication to reining in Merrick Garland’s DoJ lawfare and other extracurricular hijinks places him high on any list of loyalists. Despite Democrat ravings, this is the list that Trump will be working from during his second term, not any so-called enemy list. If Senate confirmation is successful for all his nominees, Gaetz will work out just fine in the new Trump administration.
However, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Donald Trump is playing a bit of cat and mouse with the Dems. If Gaetz’s nomination goes through, it is an ‘in your face’ move directed towards both the Democrats and the RINOs of his party who are less than fans of the brash Florida congressman. Trump is certainly not above the gamesmanship this would entail, infuriating the opposition and those of his own party who are considered less than loyal. In fact, it would be vintage Trump. However, if the nomination fails, it could get very interesting.