In a rare display of spine, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has come out in defense of former Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), urging other RINOs to abandon the “lynch mob mentality” over unverified allegations as Gaetz seeks confirmation as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Attorney General.
Graham, who has long been criticized for vacillating between conservative principles and appeasing moderates, appears to be drawing a line in the sand ahead of his 2026 reelection bid.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Graham said Gaetz should not be disqualified based on allegations that led to no formal charges during a Department of Justice investigation.
“No, no, no. Nobody should be disqualified because of a media report,” Graham said, adding the ‘bipartisan’ investigation “didn’t proceed forward.”
WATCH:
BIG: Lindsey Graham defends Matt Gaetz and fact-checks CNN live. pic.twitter.com/w0cGlY5bV1
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 19, 2024
On Wednesday, Gaetz, who resigned from Congress following his nomination, met with Republican senators to shore up support for his confirmation.
The meeting comes in the wake of a controversial House Ethics Committee investigation, which Gaetz has repeatedly dismissed as a politically motivated smear campaign orchestrated by ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
As many as 30 Republican senators are reportedly planning to vote against Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
Predictably, the likes of Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins—the left wing of the GOP—have already voiced their opposition. Republican Senator John Cornyn also said he “absolutely” wants to review the House Ethics Committee’s investigation of Matt Gaetz.
Gaetz, accompanied by Vice President-elect JD Vance (R-OH), has already met with key members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Lee (R-UT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and John Kennedy (R-LA). The Judiciary Committee will play a pivotal role in Gaetz’s confirmation hearings early next year, according to CBS News.
After meeting with Gaetz, Graham issued a strong rebuke to those prematurely condemning the former Florida congressman.
“I fear the process surrounding the Gaetz nomination is turning into an angry mob, and unverified allegations are being treated as if they are true. I have seen this movie before,” Graham said.
“I would urge all of my Senate colleagues, particularly Republicans, not to join the lynch mob and give the process a chance to move forward. After years of being investigated by the Department of Justice, no charges were brought against Matt Gaetz.”
“This is something we should all remember. I would also urge my colleagues to go back to a time-tested process, receive relevant information, and give the nominee a chance to make their case as to why they should be confirmed. This standard – which I have long adhered to – has served the Senate and country well,” he added.
The post RINO Lindsey Graham Shocks GOP: Throws Full Support Behind Matt Gaetz for AG After Meeting with Gaetz and JD Vance — Urges Fellow RINOs to Ditch the ‘Gaetz Lynch Mob’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.