Prominent conservative scholar Victor Davis Hanson suggested that former President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz for Attorney General might be a calculated political maneuver, with the controversial former Florida congressman serving as a “sacrificial lamb” in Trump’s broader strategy.
Speaking on his podcast Tuesday, the Hoover Institution Senior Fellow outlined how Trump’s unexpected nomination of Gaetz, announced via social media on November 13, could be part of a more complex political gambit.
Trump pitched the selection as key to ending what he termed “Weaponized Government,” but the nomination has faced immediate skepticism from both sides of the political aisle.
For example, an Echelon Insight poll conducted in November found only 22 percent of respondents view Gaetz favorably, while 35 percent see him negatively.
This likely comes as Gaetz faces serious allegations of misconduct, which he has denied.
Marco Rubio emerged as the most favorably viewed nominee, securing 36 percent approval compared to 34 percent disapproval.
Hanson highlighted the significant concerns about Gaetz’s qualifications for the nation’s top law enforcement position.
“Matt Gaetz is not a prosecutor. This is the top prosecutorial job in the country. He’s never been a federal prosecutor. He’s never really been a lawyer to any great degree,” Hanson said on his show.
The nomination has already triggered immediate consequences, with Gaetz submitting his resignation from Congress “effective immediately,” per House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Daily Caller reported that this swift departure comes in the wake of Gaetz’s controversial role in the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, adding another layer of political intrigue to the situation.
McCarthy’s reaction to Gaetz’s nomination was particularly telling.
When asked about his former colleague’s prospects, McCarthy reportedly laughed and dismissed the nomination as “a joke,” suggesting he “must know something” about Gaetz’s confirmation chances.
The nomination faces substantial hurdles in the Senate, where even Republican senators have shown reluctance to support Gaetz.
Hanson said that this could be part of Trump’s strategy; a political chess move.
He suggested that Senate leadership might pressure Judiciary Committee members to “strangle this appointment in the committee” to avoid forcing a full Senate vote that could create uncomfortable divisions within the party.
Former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann described Gaetz’s nomination as a “laughing stock on the right,” while NBC News reported that Republicans have privately expressed doubt about Gaetz’s confirmation prospects.
Hanson theorized that Trump could use a failed Gaetz nomination to his advantage.
“Trump is going to say, ‘Look, you guys… I got you the ultra, ultra MAGA appointment for the most important job in the country. I tried my best, and it didn’t work,’” Hanson predicted.
He suggested this could serve as leverage for Trump to secure support for other potential nominees, including Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr., or Pete Hegseth.
The nomination has sparked intense debate about the requirements for the nation’s top law enforcement position, with critics claiming Gaetz has limited legal experience and his background primarily in politics rather than law enforcement or prosecution.
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