On Wednesday, Senator Lindsey Graham (S.C.) called on Republican senators to refrain from joining what he described as a “lynch mob” pushing for former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to withdraw his nomination as attorney general over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use.
Graham, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed concern that the process surrounding Gaetz’s nomination was becoming driven by unverified accusations presented as fact.
Graham urges Senate Republicans to avoid “mob mentality” over Gaetz controversy
“I have seen this movie before,” Graham said in a statement following a meeting with Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance. “I urge my Senate colleagues, especially Republicans, not to be swept up by this mob mentality and instead allow the process to proceed,” Graham continued.
The senator’s comments seemed to echo his defense of Judge Brett Kavanaugh during the 2018 Supreme Court nomination process, when Kavanaugh faced accusations of sexual assault from Christine Blasey Ford. Ford claimed Kavanaugh had assaulted her at a high school party decades earlier in Bethesda, Md.
Despite the controversy, Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a mostly party-line vote. Some Republicans, including Graham, are now using similar arguments to defend Gaetz, emphasizing that the allegations against him remain unproven.
“As we all recall, after years of investigation by the Department of Justice, no charges were filed against Matt Gaetz. That fact should not be forgotten,” Graham stated.
Graham also urged his colleagues to respect a tried-and-true process, allowing Gaetz the opportunity to present his case and for relevant information to be considered. “This standard has worked well for the Senate and the country,” he said.
Describing his meeting with Gaetz and Vance as “very good,” Graham affirmed his commitment to ensuring the confirmation process proceeds with fairness and consistency. “This will not be a rubber stamp, nor will it be driven by a lynch mob,” Graham concluded.
