Trump’s ‘retribution’ campaign faces reality of governing in Washington after Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal

Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal as a candidate for attorney general highlights the challenges President-elect Donald Trump may face in converting his campaign of “retribution” into a governing coalition that can work within the realities of Washington. Gaetz, a former Florida congressman, embodies Trump’s agenda of grievance and vendetta, but faced opposition due to past scandals and legal troubles. Senate Republicans, including Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins, were planning to vote against Gaetz, prompting his decision to withdraw. Despite being a loyal defender of Trump, Gaetz’s confirmation as attorney general was seen as a distraction and faced strong opposition. Trump’s team did not conduct a thorough vetting process, leading to the surprise announcement of Gaetz as a nominee. Gaetz’s withdrawal is seen as a setback for Trump’s transition team, but they are expected to consider a new round of attorney general prospects. Other controversial Cabinet picks, such as Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard, also face confirmation challenges. Overall, Gaetz’s withdrawal reflects the difficulties Trump may encounter in assembling a functional governing coalition.

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