Staff Reports
As Donald Trump gears up to occupy the Oval Office again, one of the first orders of business will be selecting the next attorney general. This position will be crucial in shaping the administration’s legal approach, especially considering the past hostilities between Trump and the Department of Justice during Biden’s reign. According to Trump, that department has been about as useful as a screen door on a submarine in providing fair treatment toward him, making the appointment all the more critical.
A list of possible candidates is already making the rounds, featuring individuals with a range of qualifications and varying degrees of loyalty to the man himself. Picking the right person for this role could bring some much-needed ammunition to counteract the perceived bias demonstrated by the DOJ under the previous administration. Get ready, because it’s time to meet some of the leading contenders for the position that will either protect or poke fun at the so-called justice system.
Democrats are starting to Panic! 🤣
😟MSNBC: What jumped out as potentially the most alarming detail was that within the actual Trump campaign, the person whose name is being floated to be Trump's Attorney General of the United States to run the Justice Department is this guy.… pic.twitter.com/XBXd1XAygJ
— Steve Gruber (@stevegrubershow) October 13, 2024
First on the list is John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence who knows how to give establishment critics a run for their money. Ratcliffe has been a strong cheerleader for Trump, even when the mainstream media decided to wag their fingers at him for being allegedly “too political.” With his background in prosecuting cases and a relationship built on loyalty to Trump, he could very well be the attorney general who brings a much-needed dose of reality to the judicial circus.
Then there’s Senator Mike Lee from Utah, previously unsure about the Trump train but now riding it like a faithful conductor. Lee’s deep constitutional expertise could provide a much-needed counterbalance to the Biden administration’s more dubious legal moves. His willingness to stand up against what many conservatives view as politically motivated prosecutions against Trump positions him as both a strategic and principled candidate for the attorney general role. Yet, his close ties with the Senate could put a wrench in the works, as Republicans might be protective of their slim majority.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is another name stirring the pot. A fierce defender of Trump during the legal hurdles of the 2020 election, Paxton has fought tooth and nail against Biden’s border policies, making him a premier ally who understands the stakes at the state level. He’s been a steadfast voice against what he sees as federal encroachment on states’ rights, which aligns perfectly with Trump’s America First agenda. However, the optics of moving someone so embroiled in state battles to a federal position might present its own set of challenges.
Matt Whitaker, who has already dipped his toes in the waters of the DOJ as an acting attorney general, is also in the running. With familiarity comes a sense of calculated risk; Whitaker has been criticized for carrying the Trump banner far and wide. Yet, his knowledge of the Department’s inner workings could stabilize what many perceive as a broken system. He may need to navigate through some defensive maneuvers to clear his name from any previous mud, but it seems he’s up to the task.
There’s also the lesser-known but equally interesting Mark Paoletta, who has been entrenched in conservative legal circles and has deep ties with the Supreme Court. With a knack for straddling the line between legal strategy and political loyalty, Paoletta could be a wildcard candidate who is not merely an afterthought in this decision but rather a potential game changer. His support for Trump’s allies during tough times could resonate well in the Trump camp.
In the end, the attorney general choice will carry heavy implications for Trump’s second term. With various cases on the docket that push the boundaries of the Constitution, a favorable appointment could help steer the DOJ away from its previous direction that many conservatives view as a veiled witch hunt. It’s clear this selection will not just be about filling a position; it’s about positioning the administration to effectively counter the opposition and regain control over the narrative.
