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To understand the current turmoil affecting both major political parties, one might look to an unexpected individual: Matt Gaetz, the polarizing former House representative and failed candidate for Donald Trump’s Attorney General.
Recent media reports indicate that the House Ethics Committee is poised to release its findings on Gaetz shortly. It’s worth noting that Gaetz resigned from Congress in November, mere hours before the committee was scheduled to disclose an investigation that raised alarming questions about his conduct involving minors, financial dealings, substance use, and inappropriate remarks. These serious allegations played a significant role in his decision to withdraw from the race for the nation’s top law enforcement office.
In reaction to the situation, Gaetz put out a comprehensive statement denying what he described as baseless accusations, shifting focus to his colleagues in the party. “My 30s involved a lot of hard work and hard partying,” he wrote on X. “While I might have indulged a bit too much, that’s not a crime. At least I didn’t back spending bills that harm our country!” Even from afar, he continues to complicate the effort to pass a vital continuing resolution designed to keep the government running.
It remains unclear whether the upcoming report will affect Gaetz’s position in the political arena. Just last week, One America News Network announced that he would be hosting a nightly talk show on its staunchly pro-Trump platform. Although it trails behind Fox News and Newsmax in terms of viewership, it still wields considerable sway among Trump supporters, including Trump himself, who frequently endorses its conspiracy-laden narratives.
In an intriguing twist, Politico reported that Gaetz is in talks to join a well-known personal-injury law firm led by a significant Democratic benefactor who has been critical of President Biden’s re-election efforts.
The fact that such disparate organizations see value in Gaetz is noteworthy, especially considering the long-standing nature of the allegations against him.
Much like Trump, Gaetz appears to operate under the belief that he can simply brush aside the allegations without facing consequences. His resignation may have temporarily shielded him from scrutiny, but the House ethics committee has chosen to proceed, possibly indicating a desire to confront the culture of impunity surrounding figures like Gaetz.
Amid all this, Gaetz could well symbolize the next chapter of the Republican Party as it contends with a post-Trump reality.
There are also those who believe that Gaetz has political skills that Democrats might exploit to their advantage.
Both views might hold some truth, or they could be exaggerated. Still, the serious consideration of these perspectives underscores the significant uncertainty that both major political parties are grappling with today. This climate of uncertainty has lobbyists along K Street expanding their networks this holiday season, just in case their assumptions are proven wrong. Consulting firms are also diversifying their strategies by hiring both traditional GOP figures and MAGA supporters, while keeping their Democratic ties intact for the moment.
The Republicans reclaimed power last month largely due to Trump’s influence and his wealthy allies, including Elon Musk. The GOP is set to control the White House, the Senate, and a narrow majority in the House—one that could dwindle further if Trump succeeds in placing loyalists in critical national security and diplomatic roles. Addressing Trump’s influence, House Speaker Mike Johnson remarked, “Enough already,” in relation to Trump’s efforts to consolidate power within his fragile caucus.
Democrats are pushing back against any narrative suggesting a Republican mandate as they head into the next election year. However, unlike eight years ago when grassroots activists rallied into The Resistance, there appears to be no comparable movement emerging now. In fact, the Democratic base seems somewhat demoralized, which may explain why prominent donor John Morgan, who claims his law firm is the largest personal-injury practice in the country, is eyeing a partnership with Gaetz.
The political landscape is so unpredictable right now that nearly anything feels possible. Trump’s last-ditch efforts to maintain power raise questions about the longevity of his movement. The Reagan Revolution faded after his departure, and there was little enthusiasm within the GOP for a post-presidency role for either Bush 41 or 43. While Trump has managed to regain influence, it remains uncertain if anyone in the MAGA orbit can replicate his fervor—be it Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, Don Jr., or another potential leader.
On the Democratic side, the situation is similarly unclear. Biden’s potential exit and Kamala Harris’s recent challenges create a substantial void regarding the party’s future direction. Biden has largely retreated from the political spotlight in Washington as he and his team tally down the days left in his administration. Meanwhile, Harris has begun to lay groundwork for her next steps, encouraging supporters at her Washington residence with affirmations like, “We do not let anything defeat us” and “We are not having a pity party.” Conversations about the future of the Democratic National Committee and its affiliates are heating up. However, enthusiasm surrounding figures like Barack Obama or the Clintons seems muted, and a former Democratic House member with controversial viewpoints is likely to assume an important role in the Trump Administration. Morgan, the influential Democratic donor looking to recruit Gaetz, argues that Harris’s political career is effectively over.
Can you sense the chaos developing?
The fact that Gaetz—a provocateur who defies the status quo in both parties—is being considered as a potential stabilizing force during these turbulent times is telling. Republicans may view him as a loyalist who nearly became a leader in a legal battle against Trump’s opponents, while Democrats understandably see him as a disgraced figure. Both viewpoints can coexist, and the public may soon come to view him as an unconvicted criminal, depending on the findings of the ethics committee.
On December 12, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska expressed concerns from within the GOP’s remaining faction of MAGA supporters, stating, “I don’t think I’ve made any secret of the fact that I’m more of a Ronald Reagan Republican than I am a Trump Republican.” While she does not support Gaetz, she is still considering some of Trump’s controversial nominees, such as the “compromised” former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and the accused sexual assaulter Pete Hegseth. Aware of potential backlash from her right flank, Murkowski embraces her identity as a political survivor and a steady voice against mob mentality, asserting, “You can call me whatever you want to call me.”
What else might people label her? A reliable barometer, perhaps even an early warning system. She could be sensing how loyalty to Trump’s choices—Gaetz among them—will affect their treatment within the party. “We’re getting a preview of what it means to be loyal to [the] party, and I don’t think that will benefit us as Republicans,” Murkowski cautioned. “I believe it will energize and galvanize the Democrats.” This is why Democrats are at least intrigued by how someone like Gaetz can navigate multiple factions simultaneously.
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