'Bad choice': Matt Gaetz pick for AG too much even for WSJ's right-wing editorial board

The Wall Street Journal editorial board is known for being very conservative and complimentary of the GOP — but they had no enthusiasm for Donald Trump's choice of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to serve as attorney general.

Gaetz, who has already resigned from Congress ahead of a confirmation battle, has broadly alienated the rest of the GOP caucus and has faced both an FBI investigation and a House Ethics Committee probe over a child sex trafficking case, as well as allegations of drug use, campaign finance violations, retaliation, and other misdeeds.

"This is a bad choice that would undermine confidence in the law," wrote the board. "Mr. Trump lauded Mr. Gaetz’s law degree from William and Mary, but it might as well be a doctorate in outrage theater. He’s a performer and provocateur, and his view is that the more explosions he can cause, the more attention he can get."

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In particular, the board continued, Gaetz proved he was unfit when he led the charge to kick former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) out of the House Speakership based on a personal grudge.

"Rather than work to get things done, Mr. Gaetz sabotaged Speaker Kevin McCarthy before finally leading a rebellion to oust him. Eight Republican malcontents plunged the GOP into weeks of embarrassing paralysis, since Mr. Gaetz had no alternative that could command a majority. Finally Speaker Mike Johnson emerged."

As for all of the sexual misconduct and ethics accusations, Gaetz has categorically denied them — but that is not enough, wrote the board.

"The larger objections to Mr. Gaetz concern judgment and credibility," the board wrote. "The U.S. Attorney General has to make calls on countless difficult questions of whom to investigate and indict. Mr. Gaetz’s decisions simply wouldn’t be trusted. He’s a nominee for those who want the law used for political revenge, and it won’t end well."