CNN anchor Jake Tapper opens show with five words he ‘never contemplated using’ after Trump’s shock Cabinet picks
Jake Tapper was absolutely dumbfounded beginning his show Wednesday after Donald Trump nominated Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General.
Trump named the controversial Florida Congressman as his nominee in a move that is bound to outrage Democrats and even shock many Republicans in Washington.
Perhaps expressing that outrage, Tapper began his show in utter awe of the nomination.
‘Welcome to The Lead, I’m Jake Tapper. And let me begin the show by uttering some words that I never contemplated using together before. And those words are: U.S. Attorney General Matt Gaetz,’ he said.
He then said what he felt was the danger of Trump giving Gaetz such a position, which requires Senate confirmation.
Jake Tapper was absolutely dumbfounded beginning his show Wednesday after Donald Trump nominated Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General
Trump named the controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general
‘If you were wondering what Trump without the guardrails looks like, well, we’re getting an idea beyond the theoretical. We are starting with breaking news on so many fronts related to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition.’
Gaetz is a MAGA firebrand who has taken aim at both GOP House members and Democrats alike as he has remained a close ally of Trump.
While Trump appears to be valuing staunch loyalty as a prerequisite for his choices to key posts over standard qualifications, the choice of Gaetz as the top law enforcement official in the land left many scratching their heads – if not scraping their jaws off the floor.
It was announced earlier this year that the GOP lawmaker is under an investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery.
He was also the subject of a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl, but charges were never brought.
‘It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon.
‘Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,’ Trump continued.
If confirmed, Gaetz would become the top law enforcement officer in the nation, overseeing the Justice Department and the FBI.
Trump named the controversial Florida Congressman as his nominee in a move that is bound 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 there are few issues in the U.S. more important than ‘ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System.’
Trump claimed Gaetz will ‘restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.’
Gaetz posted on 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 first congressional district. He previously served in the Florida House or Representatives.
Gaetz gained prominence for his controversial remarks as a member of Congress and actions as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
After taking office during Trump’s first term, he became one of the lead critics into the Russia investigations into the 45th president.
Gaetz stepped down from his position in the U.S. House of Representatives just hours after the nomination.
The dramatic move by Gaetz came as Punchbowl News revealed the impending release of a ‘highly damaging’ report concerning sex trafficking and drug use allegations against the Florida rep.
Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to nominate Rep. Gaetz as Attorney General to lead reforms at the Department of Justice – the same agency that was investigating the lawmaker for allegations of sex trafficking
Gaetz stepped down 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 loses jurisdiction over him, although the report may still be released.
Attorney General Merrick Garland’s DOJ also conducted an investigation into the Florida Republican over claims of sex trafficking, but he was never charged.
Gaetz’s decision came as even Republicans questioned whether the controversial pick to head the Justice Department could clear the Senate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that he received Gaetz’s resignation letter on Wednesday, effective immediately.
Now, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be able to appoint someone else to fill Gaetz’s opening House seat in in Florida’s 1st congressional district.
Johnson admitted that the resignation ‘caught us by surprise a little bit,’ but says he believes Gaetz resigned in order to prevent vacancies in the closely-split House and give DeSantis the eight weeks to find his successor.
DeSantis received a call from Johnson today to start initiating 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 GOP lawmaker was under investigation for sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery.
Allegations regarding Gaetz’s sexual relationships with underage girls resurfaced Wednesday after Trump announced the Florida representative as his pick for Attorney General.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin slammed Gaetz earlier this year for showing images of girls he ‘slept with’ to colleagues on the floor of the U.S. House.
The Oklahoma Senator now tells CNN that he trusts Trump’s decision to pick Gaetz to join his cabinet and lead the Justice Department.
But he warned Geatz about questions he will have to face during Senate confirmation hearings.
Republican senators expressed hesitation when asked for their reactions to news of the nomination.
‘I have to noodle that one a little while,’ said Sen. Kevin Cramer to Washington Post reporter Liz Goodwin.
Sen. Cornyn also said he was not sure.
After taking office during Trump’s first term, Gaetz became one of the lead critics into the Russia investigations into the 45th president
‘I don’t know the man other than just his public persona,’ he said.
Sen. Tom Tillis indicated that it would be difficult for Gaetz to get 50 votes in the Senate, but said he would give him an ‘honest look.’
‘You got to have the credentials right so that’ll come out in the hearing, but then you have to have the relationships,’ he said, referring to Gaetz’s persona.
The president-elect claimed in his post there are few issues in the U.S. more important than ‘ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System.’
Trump claimed Gaetz will ‘restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.’
Gaetz posted on 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 first congressional district. He previously served in the Florida House or Representatives.
Gaetz gained prominence for his controversial remarks as a member of Congress and actions as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
After taking office during Trump’s first term, he became one of the lead critics into the Russia investigations into the 45th president.
