MATT GAETZDonald Trump’s pick for US attorney general, met with senators on November 20 and told reporters it had been “a great day of momentum”. The next day, however, Mr. Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration, acknowledging that “my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction.” This was not a self-effacement MAGA inflammatory, but reflective of reality: Mr. Gaetz had little chance of being confirmed, even by a Republican-controlled Senate. The Republican Party may belong to Trump, but his power is not absolute.