Former Rep. Matt Gaetz's withdrawal from President-elect Trump's attorney general nomination amid controversy surrounding sex-trafficking allegations poses a problem for other controversial presidential nominations. There is a possibility.
Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration Thursday as President Trump's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was finishing up a meeting with senators at the Capitol.
Hegseth, who was joined by Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, also faces allegations of sexual misconduct stemming from a 2017 encounter. The scrutiny increased late Wednesday night after police in Monterey, California, released a report on the charges.
Gates withdraws name as attorney general nominee
President-elect Trump's attorney general nominee, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) (right), and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance (left) leave a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members at the Washington Capitol on Wednesday. Leave. , November 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
“This matter has been thoroughly investigated and I am completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday. Through his lawyer, he also admitted to the sexual encounter, but said it was consensual.
Caroline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for President Trump's transition team, said Hegseth is “a highly respected military veteran who will serve honorably if confirmed by the next Secretary of Defense.”
Who will Trump nominate next to be attorney general?
But with Gates out of action, Hegseth, an Army National Guard soldier who served in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and was a high-profile Fox News host until earlier this month, could draw more attention. Highly sexual. From the media, from the senators.
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, speaks to reporters after meeting with senators at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lambkey Jr.)
North Dakota Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer, responding to questions from reporters after Gaetz announced he would not be considered, was asked about the allegations against Hegseth.
“Given that we have a problem with sexual assault within the military, this is a pretty big problem,” Kramer said.
The senator added, “I'm not trying to prejudge,” but added, “This is a pretty disturbing accusation.”
Trump's transition team on Thursday afternoon publicly released an email titled “Pete Hegseth Receives Strong Support on Capitol Hill,” which included an excerpt from Cramer, featuring positive comments from 11 Republican senators. We highlighted the following statements.
A source close to Trump's transition team also told Fox News that “the transition team does not believe the issues faced by Mr. Gaetz are broader issues.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arrives before President-elect Trump's speech at the America First Policy Institute gala held at the Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, on November 14, 2024. . (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
But scrutiny is also likely to increase over Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Director of National Intelligence, and former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, both of whom have had controversial pasts. He faces a possible backlash for his controversial remarks.
Asked about Hegseth, Kennedy and Gabbard, another person involved in Trump's political career told Fox News, “I would be more concerned if I were them.”
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina said there were “a few things” that President Kennedy should “preempt” before courting senators on Capitol Hill.
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But a Republican strategist who advises Republican senators pointed to Gaetz as a sacrificial lamb.
“They hide behind others,” said a source who requested anonymity in order to speak more freely. “There's always one person who collapses.”
The strategist said that Mr. Hegseth, Ms. Gabbard and Ms. Kennedy “are all doing their jobs well.” [GOP] Conferences will be even more fun in the future. …Gates was the only one not starting. ”
Fox News' Kelly Fares and Megan Tome contributed to this report
