Graham urges GOP senators not to join Gaetz 'lynch mob'

Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) urged his fellow Republican senators Wednesday not to join what he called the “lynch mob” calling for former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to withdraw his nomination to serve as attorney general because of allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

“I fear the process surrounding the Gaetz nomination is turning into an angry mob, and unverified allegations are being treated as if they are true. I have seen this movie before,” Graham, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement released after he met with Gaetz and Vice President-elect JD Vance.

“I would urge all of my Senate colleagues, particularly Republicans, not to join the lynch mob and give the process a chance to move forward,” Graham continued.

Graham appeared to be alluding to sexual assault allegations that were made against conservative Judge Brett Kavanaugh when Trump nominated him to serve on the Supreme Court in 2018.

Kavanaugh’s Senate confirmation became bitterly contentious after Christine Blasey Ford accused him of sexually assaulting her decades earlier at a high school party in Bethesda, Md.

Kavanaugh was ultimately confirmed on a mostly party-line vote.

Some Republicans, including Graham, are starting to deploy the same arguments from that time — that the allegations of sexual misconduct against Gaetz remain unproven.

“After years of being investigated by the Department of Justice, no charges were brought against Matt Gaetz. This is something we should all remember,” Graham said in his statement.

“I would also urge my colleagues to go back to a time-tested process, receive relevant information, and give the nominee a chance to make their case as to why they should be confirmed. This standard – which I have long adhered to – has served the Senate and country well,” he said.

Graham said he had “a very good meeting” with Gaetz and Vance and pledged the confirmation process to go forward “in a manner consistent with past practices and fundamental fairness.”

“This process will not be a rubber stamp nor will it be driven by a lynch mob,” Graham said.