Donald Trump announced today that he will elevate Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as his next attorney general, a post with sweeping powers over the Department of Justice.
For those who have closely followed his legislative career, the Florida lawmaker represents a sharp break from the corporate-friendly orthodoxy of the modern Republican Party.
His record speaks for itself. From his perch on the House Judiciary Committee, Gaetz has promoted a surprisingly consumer-friendly agenda, routinely breaking with his GOP colleagues on crucial votes. He previously supported legislative measures to break up Silicon Valley monopolies, sharply regulate the online data broker industry, ban noncompete employment contracts, and an end to the practice of forced arbitration, among other corporate accountability votes. He has also taken maverick positions on reducing FBI surveillance powers, cutting certain arms supplies to Saudi Arabia and legalising marijuana.
In addition, Gaetz has staked a position at times to the Left of some establishment Democrats. In the fight over the Ending Platform Monopolies Act — a bill designed to curb anticompetitive practices by Amazon and Google — Gaetz ended up supporting the legislation, while California Democrats close to the tech industry, such as Zoe Lofgren and Eric Swalwell, voted against it.
In an era of severe political polarisation, the Florida representative has found opportunities to support actions of the Biden administration. In August, Gaetz wrote a letter to Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai, urging him to “adhere fully”… Read more
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This is going to enrage every Democrats from the AOC/Bernie types to the Manchin/Moulten types to everyone in between because, though it's filled with facts, they know none of them, and can't process the cognitive dissonance with what they're supposed to think of Gaetz
it’s also missing a ton of facts. like Gaetz’s desire to use the Comstock act to prosecute abortion providers. which is why AOC/Bernie and Manchin/Moulton types should be enraged. but since you and give a **** about working class women I guess that doesn’t matter
I suspect the cope will be in the form of a response that pretends due process isn't a thing...
The fact that this article doesn’t mention that he has not taken funds from AIPAC or other corporate lobby’s is a disservice to Gaetz.
Come on. It's "possible" this pick was due to loyalty and Jan 6? Possible?
Gaetz has been good on consumer protection and going after corporations? If so, great (really!), but put him in charge of FTC or CFPB or some such. Not the Justice Dept.
@P4rtyLilyGreen1yr1Y
Gaetz sided with progressives against lobbyists from LexisNexis and other firms attempting to force copyright rules that prevent the public from accessing public laws and regulations for free
Some are unaware that the main job of the DOJ and FBi is to keep corporations from going to war with each other like the drug cartels do, and also hunting down mid-level corporates who steal from the organization.
If you want to understand the American Empire, study the mafia.
It surprised me. I'm a Republican and I had no idea. Most of us, even those fairly engaged as I am, don't pay attention to this level of detail. Maybe this nomination will be more interesting than I thought.
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