Anthony Scaramucci says in a new interview that President-elect Trump's choice of former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense is a sign that his first choice for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) state).
“I think this is just as bad as Gates,” Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House communications director during Trump's first term, told CNN's “AC360” late Thursday.
“I don't think he can get past 50 percent,” Scaramucci added of Hegseth.
“And I think Republicans are taking a very different tack in the Senate than what the Trump transition team expected. Frankly, it's hard for people like us to be here talking about it. is.”
Scaramucci, a vocal critic of President Trump, said he had a “good relationship” with Hegseth. He compared two of Trump's controversial choices when discussing sexual assault allegations against Hegseth made by a woman who hosted an event for the California Republican Women's Federation in 2017. Hegseth, a former infantry officer in the Army National Guard, denied the charges and was not indicted.
A spokesperson for the Trump transition team said in a police report released this week following a public records request: “The incident was thoroughly investigated and no charges were filed because police determined the charges were false.” He said that it has been shown that.
Mr. Scaramucci's mention of Mr. Gaetz came shortly after the Floridian withdrew his nomination to be the country's top law enforcement officer.
Gates was previously investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a broader sex-trafficking investigation that included charges involving underage women, but “his confirmation is unfairly a key part of the Trump-Vance transition.” It's interfering with my work.” ”
The department ultimately decided not to press charges, and Gaetz strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Hours after Gaetz withdrew from consideration, Trump selected former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to lead the Justice Department.
Scaramucci, a former investment banker, said on CNN that Republicans in Washington are “ready” to support Trump, and that if Trump is a “lame duck,” they will ultimately vote against him. He said there was a possibility of a “backlash”.
“I think the Republican Party is ready to turn the tables a little bit here and embrace Donald Trump. And remember, too, if Donald Trump is a lame duck, there's only one more election you can trust. . And midterms. And I think they'll rebound,” he said.
