CNN host Jake Tapper opens the show with five words he ‘never considered using’ after Trump’s shocking cabinet choices
Jake Tapper was absolutely stunned when he started his show on Wednesday after Donald Trump nominated Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
Trump named the controversial Florida congressman as his nominee, a move that will undoubtedly outrage Democrats and even shock many Republicans in Washington.
Perhaps expressing that outrage, Tapper began his show in awe of the nomination.
‘Welcome to The Lead, I’m Jake Tapper. And let me start the show by uttering some words that I had never considered together before. And those words are: U.S. Attorney General Matt Gaetz,” he said.
He then said that he believed there was a danger that Trump would give Gaetz such a position, which would require Senate confirmation.
Jake Tapper was absolutely stunned when he started his show Wednesday after Donald Trump nominated Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general
Trump named controversial Florida congressman Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general
If you’re wondering what Trump looks like without the guardrails, we get an idea that goes beyond theory. We begin with the latest news on so many fronts related to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition.”
Gaetz is a MAGA instigator who has targeted both Republican members of the House of Representatives and Democrats as he has remained a close ally of Trump.
While Trump appears to value staunch loyalty as a prerequisite for his selection for key positions over standard qualifications, the choice of Gaetz as the top law enforcement official in the country left many scratching their heads — if not scraping their jaws off the floor.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the Republican lawmaker was being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and bribery.
He was also the subject of a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl, but no charges were ever filed.
“It is my great honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida is hereby nominated to serve as Attorney General of the United States,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon.
“Matt is a highly gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on bringing about much-needed reforms at the Department of Justice,” Trump continued.
If confirmed, Gaetz would become the nation’s top law enforcement official, overseeing the Justice Department and FBI.
Trump named the controversial Florida congressman as his nominee, a move sure to outrage Democrats and even shock many Republicans in Washington.
Gaetz married his wife Ginger Luckey in 2021
The president-elect claimed in his post that there are few issues in the US more important than “ending the partisan weaponization of our justice system.”
Trump claimed Gaetz “will restore Americans’ seriously shattered faith and trust in the Department of Justice.”
Gaetz posted to X in response to the announcement: “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
The longtime MAGA loyalist was first elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Florida’s 1st congressional district. He previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.
Gaetz rose to prominence for his controversial comments as a member of Congress and his actions as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
After coming to power during Trump’s first term, he became one of the leading critics of the Russia investigation into the 45th president.
Gaetz resigned from his position in the U.S. House of Representatives just hours after the nomination.
Gaetz’s dramatic move came as Punchbowl News revealed the impending release of a “very damaging” report on sex trafficking and drug abuse allegations against the Florida representative.
Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to oust Rep. appoint Gaetz as attorney general to lead reforms at the Justice Department — the same agency that investigated the lawmaker over sex trafficking allegations
Gaetz resigned from his position in the U.S. House of Representatives just hours after the nomination
Now that Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress, the House Ethics Committee will lose jurisdiction over him, although the report may still be released.
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s DOJ also investigated the Florida Republican over sex trafficking claims, but he was never charged.
Gaetz’s decision came as even Republicans questioned whether the controversial choice to lead the Justice Department could clean up the Senate.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson revealed that he received Gaetz’s resignation letter on Wednesday, effective immediately.
Now, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be able to appoint someone else to fill Gaetz’s opening seat in the House of Representatives in Florida’s 1st congressional district.
Johnson admitted the resignation “took us a little by surprise” but said he believes Gaetz resigned to avoid vacancies in the closely divided House and give DeSantis the eight weeks to find his successor.
DeSantis received a call from Johnson today to begin the process of finding a replacement.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Gaetz on and off since 2021.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Gaetz on and off since 2021
The panel announced earlier this year that the Republican lawmaker was under investigation for sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and bribery.
Allegations about Gaetz’s sexual relationships with underage girls resurfaced Wednesday after Trump announced the Florida representative as his pick for attorney general.
Senator Markwayne Mullin blasted Gaetz earlier this year for showing images of girls he “slept with” to colleagues on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Oklahoma senator now tells CNN he has confidence in Trump’s decision to pick Gaetz to join his Cabinet and lead the Justice Department.
But he warned Geatz about questions he will face during Senate confirmation hearings.
Republican senators expressed hesitation when asked about their reactions to news of the nomination.
“I’m going to have to work on that for a while,” Senator Kevin Cramer told Washington Post reporter Liz Goodwin.
Senator Cornyn also said he wasn’t sure.
After taking office during Trump’s first term, Gaetz became one of the leading critics of the Russia investigation into the 45th president.
“I don’t know the man other than his public persona,” he said.
Senator Tom Tillis indicated it would be difficult for Gaetz to get 50 votes in the Senate, but said he would give him a “fair look.”
“You have to have the right paperwork so that that comes out at the hearing, but then you also have to have the relationships,” he said, referring to Gaetz’s personality.
The president-elect claimed in his post that there are few issues in the US more important than “ending the partisan weaponization of our justice system.”
Trump claimed Gaetz “will restore Americans’ seriously shattered faith and trust in the Department of Justice.”
Gaetz posted to X in response to the announcement: “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
The longtime MAGA loyalist was first elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Florida’s 1st congressional district. He previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives.
Gaetz rose to prominence for his controversial comments as a member of Congress and his actions as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
After taking office during Trump’s first term, he became one of the leading critics of the Russia investigation into the 45th president.
