Somewhere in America, there’s an artist hard at work on a mashup that blends the wild-eyed stare of Beavis from Beavis and Butt-Head with Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz. And while the resemblance may be little more than a punchline on social media, it begs the question: how did Gaetz—a man who, by any sane standard, wouldn’t pass the vetting process for a job at a mall kiosk—get floated as a possible nominee for Attorney General?
Gaetz’s public persona sits somewhere between raucous frat-boy energy and an uncanny resemblance to characters who go by one name only: Beavis, Skeletor, Gargamel. And beyond the caricatures and internet fodder, Gaetz comes with a laundry list of controversies. Most infamously, he’s still facing federal investigations into allegations of sex trafficking and possible involvement with a minor. Charges haven’t been filed, but the investigation has been ongoing—a fact that would typically rule someone out of consideration for a top law enforcement position in any government. But in Trump's world, the controversy seems to add to Gaetz’s appeal.
And then, there’s Gaetz’s love for the most overhyped band of all time: Nirvana. The man’s taste in music alone might be forgivable, but his unabashed embrace of a band that built an empire on three chords and an attitude of angsty detachment feels strangely fitting. You could almost picture him rocking out to “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” a track that, if anything, satirizes the very establishment Gaetz somehow sees himself countering, even as he angles for its top enforcer position.
Nominees for the position of Attorney General usually have long careers of legal or judicial service under their belt. Gaetz, on the other hand, is known primarily for his role in the House of Representatives and his vocal support for some of the more controversial stances of the last few years. In contrast to an Attorney General’s role to defend the Constitution, Gaetz’s record points more toward showmanship than stewardship.
As we continue into this surreal season, the idea of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General serves as yet another reminder of the unpredictable, head-scratching choices that seem to define a chapter in U.S. history. Beavis for Attorney General? The phrase is funny until you realize how close we’ve come to the cartoon turned reality.
