Matt Gaetz’s unexpected withdrawal from consideration as attorney general has redirected Senate Republicans’ attention to the remaining high-profile nominations of Pete Hegseth, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now find themselves under intensified scrutiny.
These three nominees come with a variety of concerns and have faced critical questions from different factions of the GOP, yet were somewhat shielded by Gaetz’s previous presence in the conversation. With Gaetz stepping aside, the spotlight now returns to Gabbard, Hegseth, and Kennedy. “Their reprieve is over,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), marking a major change in focus.
Although Senate Republicans have expressed a desire to swiftly confirm President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks, some of his staunchest allies had reservations about Gaetz, whose controversial past and ongoing investigations raised alarms.
Allegations against Hegseth add complexity to Trump’s Pentagon nomination efforts
The impact of Gaetz’s departure on the other nominees’ chances remains uncertain. Some Republicans speculate that Gaetz’s controversial nomination and subsequent withdrawal could at the end benefit Hegseth, Gabbard, and Kennedy. “Maybe Donald Trump got what he wanted out of it. It wouldn’t be the first time Donald Trump flew a trial balloon,” Cramer remarked, likening the situation to a failed space launch.
Following Gaetz’s withdrawal, Trump swiftly nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, to lead the Justice Department—a choice likely to generate far fewer controversies. Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) expressed that Gaetz’s nomination had been too risky, but he does not share the same concerns regarding the other three nominees, citing their unconventional backgrounds as a better fit for Trump’s approach.
Despite being seen as “disruptors,” Hegseth, Gabbard, and Kennedy have their own challenges to face. Hegseth, who has been nominated to lead the Pentagon, is under scrutiny due to accusations of sexual assault in 2017. Although he maintains that the allegations were thoroughly investigated and cleared, some senators, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), emphasized that such matters require a fair hearing, beyond just media reports.
Hegseth’s leadership capability is also questioned, given his previous roles as a National Guard officer and Fox News host. Gabbard, nominated for director of national intelligence, and Kennedy, tapped for head of the Department of Health and Human Services, both hold views that diverge from the mainstream GOP.
Gabbard, a former Democrat who left the party in 2022, has been criticized for her past remarks on Ukraine that appeared to align with Russian state narratives, raising concerns among defense hawks. Kennedy, a former presidential candidate, is known for his skepticism toward vaccines and support for abortion rights, which has caused unease among Senate Republicans, particularly with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who found some of his statements troubling.
The unexpected timing of Gaetz’s withdrawal caught many senators off guard, though they were not entirely surprised given his contentious meetings with Senate GOP members. Despite his efforts to win support, Gaetz’s nomination had little momentum.
Senators like Cramer and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) made it clear they would not have backed Gaetz, citing personal and political disagreements, particularly stemming from Gaetz’s role in the ousting of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
As the remaining nominees continue their path forward, Republicans are calling on them to avoid the same pitfalls that doomed Gaetz. “You’ve got to prove yourself,” said Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), advising the nominees to remain authentic and not try to be something they are not, a mistake Gaetz may have made during his nomination process.
