New Jersey Congressman Say Trump Gaetz Unqualified

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TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s newly elected Democratic senator, Andy Kim, criticized Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, calling him unqualified for the position of U.S. Attorney General, should he be nominated. Kim, who was elected last week in a competitive race, said he would oppose Gaetz’s confirmation if President Donald Trump follows through on his suggestion of appointing the Florida congressman to the role.

“I was originally going to hold off on commenting on nominations at this stage, but I cannot stay quiet here,” Kim said in a statement. “I don’t need a confirmation hearing to know that Matt Gaetz is not qualified for Attorney General. I will not support his confirmation.”

Kim, a former national security official who first joined Congress in 2019, has been outspoken on legal and ethical issues in Washington. His comments come amid speculation that Trump could seek to install loyalists in top Cabinet posts if he returns to office in 2025. Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally who played a role in the ousting of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has been a polarizing figure even within his own party.

Kim’s victory last week over Republican Curtis Bashaw marked a rare win for Democrats in a cycle where Republicans had hoped to gain ground in New Jersey. Bashaw, a businessman with moderate Republican views, failed to energize voters around the “America First” movement and struggled to capture support from the state’s MAGA-aligned base.

Kim, who ran for congress on an anti-trump campaign once operated a far-left radical website that called for a political insurrection against the Trump administration during the President’s first term in office. That website, Rise Stronger, was shut down hours after Kim’s opponent Tom McArthur connect the candidate to the radical movement.