Quotes
I think a lot of the MAGA folks knew that this, realistically, was going to be an uphill battle for Congressman Gaetz,
said Republican strategist Steven Hilding
This is a massive upgrade,
Scott Jennings, a Republican pundit, raved on CNN
Plenty of good options still out there. Just wait and see,
Kirk wrote on X, before the Bondi announcementObviously some wanted to see him get through. But it’s a win-win for Trump when negotiating with Senate Republicans on other nominees confirmation,
said one Republican close to the campaign who requested anonymity
You don’t have the votes,
Trump reportedly told GaetzMAGA folks have some room to rejoice in some of the other picks that (are either) non-Senate confirmed positions or look like they're going to be on track to go through confirmation with little to no headache,
he said
The matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared,
Hegseth told reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday
It's a pretty big problem given that we have … a sexual assault problem in our military,
Cramer saidThere's always one" that goes down who "gives cover to the others,
the source, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, saidI would be more worried if I was them,
a different source in Trump's political orbit told Fox News when asked about Hegseth, Kennedy and GabbardWhile the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, ... There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General.”
Gaetz wrote in a post on X
There was perhaps some information out there that the president was not aware of when he made the original recommendation,
Rounds said of Gaetz withdrawingCertain events, like the sun chasing away the dark of night, are not surprising, they’re expected. But that doesn’t stop me from being grateful for each sunrise,
an official saidMy read is that he genuinely wanted it but had no real plan to overcome opposition,
a source familiar with Gaetz’s meetings said.jpg)
Holy shit. I didn’t see that coming.”
As the Democratic senator John Fetterman told reporters
We want top-of-the-line professionals.”
When he ran for US president in 2016, Donald Trump ... adding:Sadly, I think there's evidence that a lot of voters don't care. Otherwise, Trump wouldn't have won the election,
said Democratic strategist Brad BannonI think he is going to be a very strong secretary of defense,
said the Iowa senatorI have heard without exaggeration a dozen times or so in the last week questioning the veracity of many of these charges, both leveled against Matt Gaetz and others and wondering if this is just a quote, Deep State end quote, trying to thwart President Trump's presidency from the beginning,
said national Republican strategist Brian SeitchikIt would be a major blow to Trump if Gaetz doesn't get confirmed."
A GOP strategist who requested anonymity to speak freely said, before Gaetz's withdrawal was announced