John Thune appears cautious on Gaetz confirmation as AG: 'don't know until we start the process'

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Thursday indicated that it was unclear whether former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz would be confirmed as the next attorney general.

President-elect Donald Trump tapped Gaetz for the role on Wednesday, prompting the former lawmaker to resign his post in Congress. But some Senate Republicans have expressed concern over the nomination because of a Justice Department probe into allegations that Gaetz slept with a minor. The Justice Department completed their investigation without bringing charges last year.

Thune said it was not clear whether Gaetz would have the support needed to be confirmed by the Senate, but that he expects Senate Republicans to do their research when the confirmation process begins.

“I don’t know until we start the process, and that’s what we intend to do with him and all the other potential nominees,” Thune told reporters, according to The Hill. “None of this stuff’s formal yet, but you know, when it is, we expect our committees to do their jobs and provide the advice and consent that is required under the Constitution.”

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds on Wednesday was among those who appeared hesitant to immediately support Gaetz, stating that the Justice Department probe was concerning. Gaetz was also being investigated by the House's Ethics Committee prior to his resignation.

“Most certainly, it would be concerning because it’s part of his file,”  Rounds said on Wednesday. “We normally give the president the benefit of the doubt, but we still do our due diligence and advice and consent is still important."

Gaetz has strongly denied any wrongdoing in both investigations.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.