Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) told reporters who asked him about former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)'s nomination for attorney general that transgender and so-called “genderfluid” officials served in the Biden administration. I presented a photo of the person. It asked the administration whether it had “harassed” Biden associates during the nomination process.
Max Cohen of Punchbowl News reported on Johnson's encounter with reporters on Thursday.
“When asked if he wanted to see Gates' ethics report, Ron Johnson rolled out a printout of this photo of Rachel Levine and Sam Brinton and asked reporters if he had 'harassed' Democrats about these candidates. ,” Cohen wrote in a post to X.
Levine, who is transgender, was confirmed by the Democratic-led Senate in March 2021 as assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services on a 52-48 vote.
Brinton is a so-called “genderfluid” former Biden administration official who worked at the Department of Energy. Brinton joined the Biden administration in June 2022 and is accused of stealing a woman's luggage in Minneapolis and St. Paul in September 2022. Paul (MSP) International Airport, leading to criminal charges.
The Department of Energy confirmed in December 2022 that Brinton had been fired after facing further charges of package theft.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would nominate Gates to be attorney general, sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill and reporters flocking to Republican lawmakers for a reaction.
Like Mr. Johnson, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also trolled reporters when asked about the nomination.
“Do you think he'll be confirmed by the Senate?'' a reporter asked, and Massie appeared to reply “recess appointment,'' the process by which President Trump's nominees can take office without Senate confirmation.
“He's the Attorney General. Suck it! Macy added.
Gaetz informed Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) of his immediate resignation on Wednesday, and a formal statement was read on the House floor on Thursday.
“I hereby resign as the United States Representative for Florida's First Congressional District, effective immediately,” the clerk said, citing Gaetz's letter.
He added: “I do not intend to take the oath of office in the 119th Congress to pursue the position of attorney general in the Trump administration.”
The administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) is already working on plans for a special election to replace Gaetz, the voice of Florida. report.
