Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) says President-elect Trump's choice of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general is “very surprising,” but the confirmation hearing process is He said, “I trust him.''
“There is a process under the Constitution for the Senate to give advice and consent regarding certain nominations, and I trust that process,” Cruz told Newsmax's Bianca de la Garza on Thursday. Ta. “Like any other nominee, that nominee will undergo vigorous vetting and confirmation hearings. All nominees will be judged on their merits.”
“I think it was a very surprising pick for the entire Senate,” Cruz added.
Mr. Cruz's comments came as Mr. Trump's choice of Mr. Gaetz as attorney general shocked Washington. A person who was in the room at the time, where House Republicans were waiting for the leadership contest to begin, said a gasp could be heard during Trump's announcement.
President Trump's nod to Gaetz coincides with a House Ethics Committee investigation into the Florida lawmaker over allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) also announced Wednesday that Gaetz had resigned from Congress “effective immediately,” effectively ending the investigation.
Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, an ardent Trump ally, told his Republican colleagues Thursday that if they object to Trump's election or Congressional agenda, “we're going to run you out of the Senate.” '' he warned.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who has been embroiled in a long-running feud with Gaetz since the Florida congressman spearheaded an effort to oust McCarthy as speaker, gave an interview. predicted that Gaetz would not be confirmed by the Senate. Bloomberg TV earlier this week.
“Look, Gaetz won't be confirmed,” said McCarthy, a staunch Trump ally. “Everyone knows that.”
Despite his resignation, Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) immediately called on the Ethics Committee on Thursday to “preserve and share” its report on Gates. The committee could still vote to release the report, but this would be an unusual move.
