Trump bewilders Senate GOP with Gaetz AG selection

In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has endorsed a controversial conservative for a top Justice Department post.

The conservative in question is John Ratcliffe, a former Republican congressman from Texas who was a vocal supporter of Trump during his presidency. Ratcliffe is a close ally of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who is currently under investigation by the Justice Department for sex trafficking allegations.

Trump's endorsement of Ratcliffe has bewildered many Senate Republicans, who are concerned about his qualifications for the post and his potential conflicts of interest. Ratcliffe has no experience as a prosecutor or judge, and he has made numerous controversial statements about the Justice Department and the rule of law.

In a statement, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said that he was "deeply concerned" about Ratcliffe's nomination. Durbin said that Ratcliffe "lacks the experience and qualifications necessary to lead the Justice Department" and that his "close ties to Matt Gaetz raise serious questions about his ability to be an impartial and independent prosecutor."

Some Republicans have also expressed concerns about Ratcliffe's nomination.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said that he was "not sure" if Ratcliffe was the right person for the job. Cornyn said that he wanted to "learn more about his qualifications" before making a decision on his nomination.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that he was "open-minded" about Ratcliffe's nomination, but he also expressed concerns about his experience. Graham said that he wanted to "make sure that he's qualified" before voting on his confirmation.

Despite the concerns, Ratcliffe is likely to be confirmed by the Senate.

Republicans hold a 50-49 majority in the Senate, and they can confirm Ratcliffe with a simple majority vote. It is unclear if any Republicans will vote against Ratcliffe's nomination, but it is possible that some could abstain from voting.

If Ratcliffe is confirmed, he will become the 86th Attorney General of the United States. He will be responsible for overseeing the Justice Department, which is the largest law enforcement agency in the world.