On Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) urged his Republican colleagues not to align with what he described as the “lynch mob” demanding that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) withdraw his nomination for attorney general due to allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.
Graham expressed concern that the confirmation process for Gaetz was descending into a chaotic and unfair situation, where unverified accusations were being treated as fact. As the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Graham reflected on past experiences, emphasizing that he had witnessed similar scenarios revealed before.
Lindsey Graham warns against unfair treatment of Matt Gaetz’s nomination, comparing it to Brett Kavanaugh’s contentious confirmation
He called on fellow senators, especially Republicans, to resist joining the uproar and allow the nomination process to proceed without prejudice. His comments appeared to draw a parallel to the contentious confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018, when he faced sexual assault allegations during his nomination by President Trump.
At that time, Kavanaugh’s confirmation battle became a bitterly divisive issue, with Christine Blasey Ford accusing him of assaulting her at a high school party. Kavanaugh was eventually confirmed, largely along party lines.
Now, some Republicans, including Graham, are revisiting the argument that Gaetz has faced years of investigation without being charged with any crimes. Graham underscored this point, stating that no charges had been filed against Gaetz by the Department of Justice.
He further urged his colleagues to rely on a fair and proven process, allowing the nominee to present their case for confirmation. Graham reiterated that this process had historically served both the Senate and the country well, emphasizing that it should not be swayed by external pressure.
Graham also mentioned having had a productive meeting with Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance, reaffirming his commitment to moving the confirmation process forward in line with traditional practices and fairness. He stressed that the process would not be a mere formality nor driven by the current frenzy.
