Majority of Senate Republicans have reportedly said privately that Matt Gaetz has no path to be confirmed as Attorney General

More than half of Senate Republicans, including several in senior leadership roles, privately express doubts about confirming former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as attorney general, according to multiple sources who spoke to NBC News anonymously. Many believe there isn’t a viable path for his confirmation and indicate they would not support his nomination to lead the Department of Justice.

Despite these concerns, President-elect Donald Trump’s team remains optimistic that Gaetz will secure confirmation, even if it requires a contentious fight.

NBC News consulted over 15 additional Republican insiders, many of whom echoed skepticism about Gaetz’s qualifications. Some estimated that up to 30 Senate Republicans view him as unfit for the role.

Meanwhile, Gaetz and Trump attorney Todd Blanche are moving forward with preparations for the Justice Department. Sources familiar with the plans confirmed that Blanche, if confirmed, would assume the No. 2 role, overseeing all U.S. attorney offices nationwide.

“President Trump and his team are focused on and confident in the confirmation of AG-designee Gaetz,” a source familiar with Trump’s thinking told NBC News.

Vice President-elect JD Vance and his aides have also been gauging senators' opinions on Gaetz over the past two days.

Trump announced Gaetz as his pick for attorney general on Wednesday, stating on Truth Social:
“Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations, and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”

The announcement reportedly shocked many Republicans, except for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who had received prior notice from Trump.

Gaetz’s congressional tenure has been marred by controversy. He faced a Justice Department investigation regarding allegations of sex trafficking a 17-year-old girl—a case he has consistently denied and for which he has not faced criminal charges.

However, on Thursday, John Clune, an attorney representing the 17-year-old, wrote on X: “She was a high school student and there were witnesses” regarding the alleged incident.

Clune also urged the release of a House Ethics Committee report detailing its long-running investigation into Gaetz, which remains unresolved.