Gaetz couldn't get hired by FBI: McCabe

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said Thursday that former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), President-elect Trump’s nominee for attorney general, couldn’t get hired by the FBI.

“There are so many things that kind of jump out to you when you hear that — the prospect of that nomination,” McCabe told anchor Kasie Hunt on “CNN This Morning.”

“But I think the first thing that really impresses me is what it says about Donald Trump's intention for the Justice Department and the FBI," he added.

McCabe then described the former Florida lawmaker — who resigned from the House on Wednesday, just after Trump's announcement — as “obviously wholly unqualified for this job.”

“He's someone who … quite frankly, couldn't get hired by the FBI if he was — had he ever been interested in that, which I'm sure he never was,” McCabe added. “Probably couldn't qualify for a clearance.”

On Wednesday, Trump tapped Gaetz to lead his Justice Department (DOJ) when he returns to the White House in January.

“Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Gaetz, one of the president-elect’s strongest supporters in Congress, has drawn scrutiny even among members of his own party. The former congressman led the effort to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) when he put forth a motion to vacate last year, despite them both having a favorable relationship with Trump.

“He is singularly a disruptor,” McCabe said of Gaetz. “He is someone who’s been selected because of his interest and desire to go into the organization and tear things apart — you know, likely get rid of people, stop doing a lot of the work that the Justice Department is currently doing.”

Gaetz being selected by Trump for the role has taken some Senate Republicans by surprise, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) saying she doesn’t believe it’s "a serious nomination for attorney general.”

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.