Gaetz Pick Slammed at Conservative Trump Critic Lawyer Gathering

Donald Trump’s plan to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) as attorney general came in for attack at a “rule of law” gathering of frequent Republican critics of the president-elect.

Former Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) said Gaetz’s nomination is “absurd” and combined with the selection Wednesday of former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who represented Hawaii as a Democrat and has since left the party, as director of national intelligence suggested the Cabinet will be filled with “Putinists and pedophiles.”

Gaetz has been the subject of a Justice Department investigation into whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl in exchange for money. Gaetz denied the allegations and was notified last year that he wouldn’t face charges.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Gaetz had submitted a letter of resignation Wednesday. His departure would end a House ethics panel investigation of his conduct.

The Society for the Rule of Law, which also includes Trump critics George Conway and former Judge J. Michael Luttig as board members, sponsored the Wednesday night event at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown. It was held one day before the larger gathering of the conservative Federalist Society is set to begin in Washington.

Comstock appeared alongside Conway, who joked that Gaetz “couldn’t make it here tonight because he had a hot date.”

Comstock replied, “It’s called a recess appointment.”

Later during the event, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who served in the George W. Bush administration, said he is “hopeful” the Justice Department would continue its practice of maintaining independence from the president. He also said he is “worried” that a lot might depend on the attorney general, prompting laughter from the audience.