Environmental groups poised to take on the Trump administration in court are outraged at the president-elect’s choice to lead the department tasked with enforcing the nation’s laws.
If he is confirmed as attorney general, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz would give orders to the Justice Department division in charge of defending environmental rules and prosecuting polluters. Green groups have raised alarms about Gaetz’s efforts to abolish EPA and his backing of the fossil fuel industry — not to mention his support of Trump’s attempt to overturn his loss in the 2020 election and allegations of his involvement in the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.
“Oh, for f*ck’s sake,” said Mitch Jones, managing director of policy and litigation for Food & Water Watch, in a written statement. “The Senate should overwhelmingly reject this nomination.”
To become attorney general, Gaetz needs support from a simple majority of the upper chamber. But even though Republicans control the Senate, Gaetz may still face a tough road to confirmation.
