McConnell Responsible For Gaetz’s Removal?

Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has placed the blame for Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) withdrawal from consideration to lead the Department of Justice squarely on Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Bannon, speaking during an interview with The Dispatch, criticized McConnell and other establishment Republicans for their resistance to Trump’s agenda and called on the GOP to take a more aggressive approach in fighting back against these entrenched forces when Trump returns to the White House.

Bannon emphasized that the Republican Party must stop catering to the “donor class” and start taking bold action to push through key nominees. “The GOP needs to be much more aggressive,” Bannon argued, stressing that Trump’s future administration must not back down from picking controversial, but loyal candidates, even if they face opposition from the traditional Republican establishment. According to Bannon, McConnell and his allies in the Senate are determined to block Trump’s influence by trying to derail his nominees, including those like Gaetz, who have been instrumental in pushing the America First agenda.

Bannon didn’t mince words when it came to McConnell and his colleagues. He accused them of being “anti-populist” and “anti-economic nationalists,” suggesting they are more concerned with maintaining their grip on power than supporting the will of the American people. For Bannon, this kind of obstructionism is a betrayal of the movement that Trump has ignited and that millions of GOP voters have rallied behind.

One of Bannon’s key recommendations for combating this resistance was the need for Republicans to challenge those who don’t stand with Trump, particularly by recruiting primary challengers. “If you don’t support Trump’s nominees, you will be primaried,” Bannon warned, urging conservative media to hold Republican leaders accountable for not backing the president’s picks.

Gaetz, who had been under scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, withdrew from consideration for the DOJ post after facing political and personal pressure. While some saw his decision as a setback for Trump’s incoming administration, Bannon defended Gaetz, calling him “one of the best warriors” for the MAGA movement. Despite his flaws, Bannon argued, Gaetz’s imperfect nature was part of what made him effective.

In the end, Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to take the role instead, but Bannon’s message was clear: Republicans need to unite behind Trump’s vision and be ready to take the fight directly to the establishment forces trying to stop him. The upcoming election cycle, Bannon said, will be a crucial test of whether the GOP can truly embrace its populist roots or fall back into the old ways of doing business.