Multiple Republican senators gave a cold reception to President-elect Donald Trump’s number of Matt Gaetz for U.S. lawyer common, placing the previous Florida congressman’s odds of being confirmed by the Senate in query.
The shock announcement Wednesday, and Gaetz’s swift resignation from Congress, additionally drew consideration to a House Ethics Committee probe into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and different wrongdoing.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a Republican on the judiciary panel that may resolve whether or not to advance Gaetz’s nomination to the complete Senate, mentioned Thursday morning that he “absolutely” needs to see the ethics committee’s closing report.
“I think there should not be any limitation on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee is generated,” Cornyn advised reporters on Capitol Hill.
He added that whereas “it’s premature to count votes,” there are “a lot of questions.”
Gaetz had beforehand been embroiled in a federal investigation into whether or not he was concerned within the intercourse trafficking of a 17-year-old woman. That probe, which ended final yr with out costs being filed, was carried out by the Department of Justice — the company Gaetz would lead if he had been confirmed as lawyer common.
Gaetz has denied all of the allegations towards him. In September, he declared he would cease cooperating with the House panel, whereas sharing a letter wherein he vehemently denied having “sexual activity with any individual under 18.”
On Thursday, an lawyer for the girl who alleges she had a sexual relationship with Gaetz when she was a minor mentioned the Ethics panel ought to launch the report.
“Mr. Gaetz’s likely nomination as Attorney General is a perverse development in a truly dark series of events. We would support the House Ethics Committee immediately releasing their report,” John Clune, a companion at Hutchinson Black and Cook, wrote on X.
“She was a high school student and there were witnesses,” the lawyer added.
A lawyer for Gaetz didn’t instantly reply to ‘s request for remark.
Calls for the committee to launch its report have turn out to be extra urgent given the bizarre sequence of occasions surrounding Trump’s announcement.
Trump’s number of Gaetz and the lawmaker’s determination to abruptly resign from Congress the identical day got here simply two days earlier than the panel was set to vote on releasing its report on the intercourse and drug probe, Punchbowl News reported Wednesday, citing sources.
Gaetz’s resignation effectively ends the Ethics Committee probe, as a result of the panel’s attain is restricted to members of the House.
Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., advised reporters Wednesday that if Gaetz had been to step down as a way to search the lawyer common position, “then the Ethics Committee loses jurisdiction at that point.”
The Ethics panel was slated to fulfill Thursday behind closed doorways, a supply conversant in the state of affairs advised NBC. It was unclear whether or not the committee would talk about Gaetz or vote on the report throughout that confidential assembly.
Several Senate Republicans reacted with bewilderment and skepticism Wednesday about Gaetz being chosen to guide the Justice Department.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, mentioned she was “shocked” by the choice and predicted that there will probably be “a lot of questions asked” if his nomination proceeds.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, mentioned she didn’t imagine Gaetz was “a serious nomination for the attorney general.”
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., one other member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, mentioned, “I’m all about counting votes, and I would probably think he’s got some work cut out for him.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, mentioned of Gaetz’s anticipated nomination: “He’s got his work cut out for him.”
But others appeared able to again Gaetz’s bid.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the judiciary panel’s rating Republican, mentioned in a press launch Thursday afternoon that, “Generally speaking, I vote for confirmation regardless of party or personal feelings because that is my Constitutional role as a Senator.”
“I will do the same for President Trump’s nominees,” Graham mentioned within the assertion, which was despatched in an e mail with the topic line, “Elections Have Consequences.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., mentioned Thursday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” that “there’s no problem with me. I want to see President Trump’s Cabinet appointed quickly.”
Hagerty mentioned “there has been no one better at channeling the American public’s frustration with the weaponization of the Department of Justice than Matt Gaetz.”
When Republicans take management of the Senate in January, they’re projected to have a slim majority of two or three seats. Assuming all Senate Democrats vote towards Gaetz’s nomination, Trump can solely afford a number of GOP defections earlier than he would lose the easy majority required to verify his decide for lawyer common.
Trump has demanded that the subsequent Senate Republican chief conform to ship senators dwelling for not less than 10 days as a way to pave the best way for Trump to make “recess appointments,” which might permit him to put in Cabinet members and bypass particular person affirmation votes altogether.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., after being chosen to exchange retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell as majority chief, said Wednesday that Republicans will “explore all options” to ensure Trump’s nominees transfer ahead rapidly.
