Republican strategist Karl Rove didn’t hold back in his condemnation of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet choices, declaring that the “chaos” sparked by his controversial nominations would have serious consequences.
In a scathing op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, Rove reflected on the early days of Trump’s Cabinet selections, which started with what seemed like promising choices. He highlighted the appointment of Susie Wiles as the first female White House chief of staff as a smart, forward-thinking move. Rove also noted that although some picks, like former “Fox & Friends Weekend” host Pete Hegseth, raised concerns, they initially seemed energetic and focused.
But Rove’s tone turned sharply critical when Trump announced the selection of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general. Rove didn’t mince words, calling the nomination “catastrophically bad.” Gaetz’s history of scandal—including accusations of sexual misconduct—quickly overshadowed his appointment, with pressure mounting for the House Ethics Committee to release its report on the allegations. Gaetz withdrew his nomination on Thursday, but not before the damage was done.
Rove slammed Gaetz for his lack of legislative experience, his role in the GOP’s rebellion against former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), and his connection to multiple ongoing investigations into sex and drug scandals. Even before Gaetz’s withdrawal, Senate Republicans were left facing an uncomfortable question: would they back Trump’s pick or distance themselves from such a controversial figure? Rove suggested that Gaetz’s confirmation hearings would have been a circus, but noted that they wouldn’t be the only spectacle. Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), nominated to head national intelligence, and Hegseth were also poised to draw intense scrutiny.
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Rove argued that these high-profile, divisive picks were distracting from what should have been a serious, substantive Cabinet-building process. The lack of proper vetting, Trump’s impatience, and his focus on settling scores over finding qualified candidates, Rove said, had created nothing but chaos and controversy before Trump even took office.
“Trump has already created a mess before stepping into the Oval Office,” Rove wrote. “The cost of all this turmoil? Missed opportunities to build support and credibility for the new president. But hey, at least it’ll make for great TV.”
