[Hoot Gibson]

Collins and Murkowski voted yes to confirm the corrupt Merrick Garland as AG and if they vote no on Gaetz this will be their last term in the Senate. So it's a huge win either way.

MAGA!

I suspect that there is more to this appointment than meets the eye. The House Ethics committee was about to release its findings for the complaint against Gaetz. I believe that it is safe to assume that all parties involved already know the findings through leaks. Gaetz has resigned from his seat, so the findings will not be publicly released. 

If Trump wanted Gaetz to be part of his administration and to sweep the committee's findings under the rug, then he could have simply appointed him to a position that did not require Senate confirmation. This smells like a trap for gullible people, with Gaetz willingly serving as bait. 

OTOH, if the committee's findings are disqualifying for an AG,, but fall short of a career ending crime, then Trump can withdraw the nomination, Gaetz can issue a public apology, and Trump can hire him for a lesser position. 

Whatever the outcome, I expect Trump already knows what it will be and will emerge stronger politically than he was before the nomination. 
 
No Senate incumbent wants to spend time and money fighting a strong primary challenger. Musk seems to enjoy playing the role of a trump card.