Republicans Shocked After Trump Taps Matt Gaetz For A.G.
Huff PostWASHINGTON — Several Republican lawmakers on Wednesday were astounded by news that President-elect Donald Trump planned to tap Rep. Matt Gaetz as the top law enforcement official in his coming administration. Gaetz’s resignation will also end an ongoing House Ethics Committee probe into allegations of sexual misconduct, drugs, improper payments and obstruction of justice, as former members are not subject to the panel’s jurisdiction. Trump said in a post on his social media website that Gaetz had “distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.” Gaetz has been a harsh critic of the DOJ’s two criminal cases against Trump — one for trying to overturn the 2020 election, and another for hoarding classified documents after Trump left the White House. “We’re not going to do anything to expedite this.” Johnson praised Gaetz for departing and called him “one of the most intelligent members of Congress.” “He’s very concerned about the lawfare that has been occurring in the Department of Justice under the Biden administration and the fact that the American people have lost their faith in our institutions of justice because of everything that you’ve seen,” Johnson said. “He’s a reformer in his mind and heart.” “He's very concerned about the lawfare that has been occurring in the Department of Justice under the Biden administration and the fact that the American people have lost their faith in our institutions of justice because of everything that you've seen.” - House Speaker Mike Johnson Most Senate Republicans avoided saying whether they would support Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general.