John,
In 1993, President Bill Clinton saw two potential Attorney General picks, Zoë Baird and Kimba Wood, withdraw under public pressure for hiring undocumented workers as nannies—actions that, though commonplace among affluent families, were deemed unacceptable for public officials. These controversies set a precedent where ethical standards and public trust mattered.
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear how far our standards have fallen. President Elect Donald Trump’s choice of Florida Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General is a glaring example of this decline. Gaetz, facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct and unethical behavior—including an investigation by the House Ethics Committee—is somehow still considered for one of the most powerful roles in the country. The same political system that once turned away nominees over nanny taxes now faces the potential confirmation of an individual whose controversies far surpass any past improprieties.
Polling confirms Gaetz's unpopularity, with a majority of voters opposing his nomination. Yet Trump’s cabinet is filled with other contentious figures, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, and Elon Musk, the billionaire slated to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. The standards that once protected the American public from unfit leadership are now being trampled in favor of personal loyalty and partisan politics.
Trump’s potential use of recess appointments to bypass Senate confirmation only adds to this erosion of norms. Even some Republicans, like Senator Kevin Cramer, have publicly called it “unwise,” showing that the concern spans party lines.
This isn’t just about one man or one administration—it’s about the integrity of our government. Our most powerful weapon right now is our microphone, so we need to use platforms around the country to hold MAGA accountable! Join us in our fight today.
