DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

A lawyer said his client was allegedly paid to have sex with Matt Gaetz at a 2017 party. A man accused of three fatal stabbings in New York City has an extensive criminal history. Gaetz, a former Republican U.S. representative from Florida, has long denied the allegations against him and has claimed he was the target of an extortion plot. A Trump transition team spokesperson called the allegations “baseless.” Gaetz resigned from Congress last week after Trump announced plans to nominate him for attorney general. The stabbings happened yesterday morning at three separate locations.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, Joel Leppard, Leppard, ” Gaetz, Ramon Rivera, Rivera, it’s, Maya Huter, Jing Feng, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Glinda, Kalhan Rosenblatt, Tony Lee, — Richie Duchon, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: Justice Department, NBC News, NBC, Republican U.S, Trump, United Nations, Apple, Reebok, REI’s Locations: New York City, Florida —, Orlando, Florida, stabbings, New York, United

☆ House has ‘numerous’ photos from women who say they were paid a total of more than $10,000 by Gaetz for sex, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Two women who claim they were paid for sex by former Rep. Matt Gaetz provided House ethics investigators with “numerous” photos related to time they spent with the Florida Republican, a lawyer for the women said Tuesday, including from an alleged 2019 trip to New York. The women additionally provided the House Ethics Committee with selfies Gaetz is said to have sent them, according to their lawyer. They also testified that they sent nude photos to Gaetz, sometimes at his request, Leppard said. Leppard’s account of the testimony provides more insight into the evidence the House committee collected in its probe, which was conducted in addition to a criminal investigation by the Justice Department. “What I’m telling you is just a fraction of the evidence that’s available, of the thousands of documents” the House obtained, Leppard said.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Joel Leppard, CNN’s Erin Burnett, ” Gaetz, Leppard, selfies Gaetz, Donald Trump, “ Merrick, ”, Mike Speaker Johnson, Gaetz . Leppard, CNN’s Annie Grayer Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, Fox News, Justice Department, Gaetz Locations: New York, York

☆ Matt Gaetz: Florida court fight gives insight into the House review of sex allegations
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Paula Reid | Tierney Sneed | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The House Ethics Committee probe into Gaetz, initially launched in 2021, ran into several obstacles, including a lack of access to records collected by a federal criminal investigation into Gaetz. In addition to the House Ethics Committee investigation, Gaetz was separately investigated by the US Justice Department for alleged sex trafficking, obstruction of justice and other potential crimes, but prosecutors declined to bring any charges. The House committee abandoned plans for a closed-door meeting Friday, when lawmakers were expected to consider the release of the report. When asked about the friend’s claim she had sex with Gaetz, Dorworth suggested in the deposition that both women made up their stories. Resignation brings House probe to a haltThe House Ethics Committee probe was started by House Democrats in 2021 but was put on hold while the Justice Department completed its criminal investigation.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, –, Trump, “, ” Gaetz, ”, Joel Greenberg, Greenberg, Gaetz –, Kevin McCarthy, Christopher Dorworth, Dorworth, Johnson, Tapper, ” Dorworth, CNN’s Casey Gannon, Annie Grayer Organizations: CNN, President, Florida Republican, US Justice Department, Committee, DOJ, Department, Trump, Florida House, Justice Department, Miami Herald, House Democrats, Hill Locations: Florida, Orlando federal, ”, Seminole, Bahamas

Trump wants Gaetz confirmed “100%,” a source told CNN. He also believes Gaetz is uniquely positioned to defend the Trump administration on television, an attribute prioritized by the president-elect. Trump’s pick for deputy attorney general — his defense attorney Todd Blanche — will carry out the day-to-day work of overseeing the Justice Department’s more than 40 agencies and 115,000 employees. In recent days, Gaetz has been reaching out directly to Republican senators, according to a source familiar with the efforts. The Democratic-controlled Judiciary Committee formally requested the House Ethics Committee report already, but Democrats will lose control of the committee in January.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Gaetz, ” Trump, Trump’s, Todd Blanche —, Justice Department’s, ” Gaetz, “, ”, Sean Spicer, Gaetz’s, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Kennedy, Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins of Maine, Joni Ernst, “ He’s, North Dakota Sen, Kevin Cramer, Kevin McCarthy, Oklahoma Sen, Markwayne Mullin, CNN’s Manu Raju, ” Mullin, Mullin, Mike Johnson, Mike Rounds, John Cornyn of, ” Rounds, Chuck Grassley, Grassley, John Thune, Thune Organizations: CNN, Department, Senate, Justice Department, Trump, Justice, Fox News, Hawaii Rep, Republican Senate, Republicans, Republican, North Dakota, Democratic, GOP Locations: Florida, Alaska, Iowa, Oklahoma, John Cornyn of Texas

That unit has brought forward more than 1,500 cases in the “most wide-ranging investigation” in the history of the Justice Department. Nicole Reffitt, a supporter of the Capitol defendants, told NBC News she is pleased with the Gaetz pick. “We need a fighter in leadership, and that’s why I’m backing Matt Gaetz for Attorney General,” Evans wrote. One of Gaetz’s podcasts featuring Beattie was titled “Fedsurrection,” a nickname generated by far-right extremists who have portrayed the Capitol attack as an inside job, without evidence. Not one is a member of Antifa or a FBI agent.”On the first anniversary of Jan. 6, Gaetz held another news conference to “expose the truth” about the attack.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump, Gaetz, “, ”, —, Trump, he’ll, Nicole Reffitt, Guy Reffitt, “ Trump, ” Nicole Reffitt, ” Derrick Evans, rioter, ” Evans, — he’s, antifa, ” Gaetz, Darren Beattie, Beattie, Ray Epps, Epps, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tami Perryman, Jan Organizations: WASHINGTON, Florida Republican, Capitol, Justice Department, Prosecutors, NBC News, Trump, J6, Trump White House, RNC, DNC, FBI, D.C, Gaetz’s, DOJ, NBC Locations: Florida, United States, America, Gaetz, Washington, Congress

☆ Woman told House Ethics Committee she saw Gaetz have sex with a minor, lawyer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Casey Gannon | Kaanita Iyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The attorney who represents two women who were witnesses in the House Ethics Committee probe into former congressman Matt Gaetz said Friday that one of his clients told the panel she saw the congressman having sex with a minor. “My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor,” said attorney Joel Leppard, whose clients sat for closed-door testimony before the committee as part of the now-dropped investigation into the Florida Republican. The Justice Department deemed the files too sensitive to release even to the House Ethics Committee. And House Speaker Mike Johnson said Friday he does not think the panel’s findings should be released and that he was “going to strongly request” the committee not do so. CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, ”, Joel Leppard, ” Gaetz, Gaetz, “ Merrick, Donald Trump, Gaetz’s, Leppard, Mike Johnson, Trump, Pete Hegseth, CNN’s Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Annie Grayer, Manu Raju, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, ABC News, Department of Justice, Senate, DOJ, Justice Department, Democrats, Republicans, Fox News Locations: Florida

☆ Matt Gaetz, Trump’s pick for attorney general, had been a subject of a sex trafficking investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Tom_Winter_Nbc_News.Jpg | Tom Winter | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to run the Justice Department, has previously been investigated over allegations of sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl — a federal probe that ultimately did not yield criminal charges. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 16. Greenberg pleaded guilty in May 2021 to several crimes, including the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl. Stephen Alford, 62, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, said he could help the Matt Gaetz secure a presidential pardon, authorities said. Matt Gaetz has said the allegations stemmed from the extortion plot.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, “, ”, Angela Weiss, ’, Joel Micah Greenberg, Gaetz’s, Greenberg, scoffed, Don Gaetz, Stephen Alford, Alford, Robert Levinson, Matt Gaetz’s, Biden, Joe Biden, ” “, ” Gaetz Organizations: Justice Department, Capitol, Justice, DOJ, Republican National Convention, Getty, NBC News, “, Politico, Gaetz, FBI, Fort Walton Locations: Florida, Milwaukee, Bahamas, Seminole County , Florida, Fort, Fort Walton Beach , Florida, Iran

Trump’s transition team includes close to 100 people, with some working at Mar-a-Lago and others at the campaign office in Palm Beach and in Washington. Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesInside Trump’s transitionTrump’s transition effort had begun with relatively orthodox choices — including Wiles, who led Trump’s campaign, as chief of staff. Much like his defense secretary pick, Trump had also grown frustrated with his options for attorney general. The role of attorney general has long been viewed by Trump as one of, if not the, most important positions he would fill. CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to properly reflect the process by which Donald Trump considered candidates for attorney general.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, —, Trump, firebrands —, elect’s, MAGA, ”, “, ” Trump, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Elon Musk, Tesla, he’d, strode, Chris Christie’s, Susie Wiles, Wiles, Donald Trump, Andrew Harnik, Monday Trump, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Gabbard, Steve Bannon, ” Bannon, Donald Trump Jr, Richard Grenell, Rubio, Tony Hinchcliffe denigrated, JD Vance, Vance, Brian Snyder, Department —, Kamala Harris, Mark Paoletta, Andrew Bailey, Justice Department —, Jeff Sessions, William Barr, Department’s, Kevin McCarthy, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Nathan Howard, Gaetz, McCarthy, ” Gaetz, Gaetz’s, “ We’re, ” Johnson, Trump’s, Alaska Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Justice Department . Maine Sen, Susan Collins, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, Thune, Sen, Mike Rounds, ” Rounds, Kaitlan Collins, Annie Grayer, Danya Gainor, Holmes Lybrand, Dana Bash, Haley Talbot, Jeremy Herb, Katie Bo Lillis, Ted Barrett, Manu Raju, Sarah Ferris, Pamela Brown Organizations: CNN, Fox News, Hawaii Democratic, Republican, “, Wednesday, Washington, Hill, South, GOP, Elon, House Republicans, DC, SpaceX, Department of Government, Trump, New, New Jersey Gov, Mar, Hyatt, Monday, Democratic, Army National Guard, US Army Reserve, America, Florida Republican, Tony Hinchcliffe denigrated Puerto Ricans, State Department, Base Andrews, Reuters, Department, Justice Department, White House, Republicans, Capitol, U.S . Capitol, Senate, Justice Department ., Texas, South Dakota Republican Locations: Florida, Washington, South Dakota, Trump’s, New Jersey, Palm Beach, Washington ,, Syria, Russia, Tony Hinchcliffe denigrated Puerto, Madison, Maryland, U.S, Missouri, Manhattan, Trump, Alaska, Justice Department . Maine

☆ House Ethics Committee continues investigating Matt Gaetz but closes some portions of its probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The House Ethics Committee announced Tuesday that it will continue to investigate certain allegations surrounding Rep. Matt Gaetz, including whether the Florida Republican engaged in sexual misconduct, while ending other portions of the probe. In a rare statement updating its work, the bipartisan committee stated some of the allegations against Gaetz “merit continued review” and it has “also identified additional allegations” that warrant investigating. But McCarthy has repeatedly denounced those accusations and has said Gaetz worked to oust him because of the ethics probe. In late 2020, under Trump-appointed Attorney General Bill Barr, the Justice Department opened an investigation into allegations Gaetz may have had sexual contact with a minor. A source familiar with the House panel’s work previously told CNN that the Justice Department’s decision not to bring charges against Gaetz does not impact what the committee will and won’t investigate.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, “, ” Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Bill Barr, Joel Greenberg, Department’s, won’t Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, Department of Justice, Gaetz, California Republican, Northwest Floridians, Trump, Justice Department, DOJ Locations: Florida, California

☆ Trump and Johnson Trump build alliance on the falsehood of the stolen election
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The stolen election falsehood that dominates the GOPJohnson’s willingness to lend the authority of his office to Trump’s “election integrity” campaign shows how Trump’s stolen election conspiracy theory has consumed almost every pillar of power in the GOP. Trump and Johnson are also expected to relitigate the 2020 election during Friday’s press conference, a Trump adviser told CNN. “IT’S SO THEY CAN VOTE, VOTE, VOTE,” Trump said on his Truth Social network in December. Two days after the election, Trump declared, “If you count the legal votes, I easily win. “I support President Trump, I’m one of his biggest fighters here in Congress.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Trump, Aileen Cannon, Trump’s, Johnson, ”, CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Fredreka Schouten, CNN’s KFile, Lara Trump, William Barr, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden’s, ” Trump, ” Johnson, Biden, There’s, —, Matt Gaetz –, “, ” Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Greene, she’d, ” Greene, CNN’s Manu Raju, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy —, Trump — Organizations: CNN —, Republican, GOP, Trump’s, Trump, Republicans, Republican National Committee, RNC, CNN, Democratic, Electoral, “, Christian Broadcasting Network, Biden, Georgia Republican, House Republicans, Capitol Locations: Trump, Congress, Lago, Florida, New York, Georgia, American, Texas, Georgia , Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ukraine, Mar, November’s

☆ John Eastman wants to keep practicing law, representing Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene – and paying his own bills
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Katelyn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Eastman is asking a judge in California to reactivate his license following a disciplinary decision last month that rendered him unable to practice law for now. That decision prompted his law license to be made inactive over the weekend, meaning he can’t have legal clients while he appeals the decision. Until his law license was made inactive, Eastman represented about a half-dozen clients on constitutional issues, including relating to elections. Those prominent clients are now going to bat for him in his request to continue his legal work. Greene’s campaign committee and the joint fundraising committee “Put America First” have paid Eastman’s law partnership about $25,000 for legal services since 2021, according to campaign finance records.

Persons: John Eastman, Matt Gaetz, Marjorie Taylor Greene, –, Eastman, ”, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Joe Biden, Yvette Roland, Disbarment, United States …, Trump, Gaetz, Greene, “, ” Gaetz, they’d Organizations: Washington CNN —, Trump, Eastman, California Supreme, United, Republican Party of Colorado, Colorado Republican Party, State Bar of Locations: California, Georgia, Trump, United States, Fulton County, Fulton County , Georgia, Gaetz, Anaheim, Riverside , California, State Bar of California, Greene’s, Gadsden

☆ Embittered Republicans plot to knock off House GOP’s hard-right leader in Virginia primary feud
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“Bob Good didn’t come here to govern. Rep. Derrick Van Orden talks with reporters after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the US Capitol on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Asked if Good’s vote to oust McCarthy prompted the House GOP effort to defeat him, Georgia Rep. Austin Scott said: “It has something to do with that. Rep. Bob Good speaks with reporters at the US Capitol on January 12, in Washington, DC. Bob Good leads the fighters.”CNN’s Sheden Tesfaldet contributed to this report.

Persons: Bob Good’s, Manu Raju ”, Derrick Van Orden, Bob Good, Kevin McCarthy, Van Orden, propping, John McGuire –, “ Bob Good didn’t, ” Van Orden, “ Bob Good’s, he’s, Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs of, Chip Roy, Texas, Good, Tom Williams, They’ve, ”, “, Gaetz, McCarthy, Bob, McGuire –, –, ” McGuire, Austin Scott, we’ve, McGuire, John McGuire, John C, Clark, Nancy Pelosi, Mike Rogers, Rogers didn’t, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Trump, “ Trump, Trump’s, Mark Meadows, ” Meadows, that’s, Kent Nishimura, Joe Biden, won’t, “ I’m, Ryan Zinke of, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” “ John McGuire, she’s grandstanding, Chris LaCivita, “ Bob Good won’t, LaCivita, ” LaCivita, doesn’t, “ I’ve, ” Gaetz, Sheden Tesfaldet Organizations: Republican, Virginia CNN —, Caucus, House Republicans, GOP, Wisconsin Republican, CNN, House Republican Conference, “ Conservative, Navy, Democrat, Denver, Georgia Rep, Capitol, ”, Republicans, Pentagon, House Armed, Good, Florida Gov, DeSantis, Virginians, Conservative Leadership PAC, Trump, Mar, Trump Cabinet, Republican Party Locations: Appomattox, Virginia, tatters, Wisconsin, Florida, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Washington, Virginia –, Georgia, Richmond , Virginia, Congress, Alabama, Trump, Washington , DC, Iowa, Ryan Zinke of Montana, United States

For more on the effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his job and the fight over Ukraine aid, watch “Inside Politics Sunday with Manu Raju” at 8 a.m. “”The speaker wants to put wins on the board for House Republicans, and we better start doing that. But whether or not Johnson keeps his speaker’s gavel may hinge on how he handles the next divisive policy issue coming down the pike: funding for Ukraine in its war against Russia. Over the two-week Easter recess, Johnson has been quietly working with key lieutenants to chart a course on his Ukraine strategy. “It was a terrible deal.”Democrats are signaling that they will save Johnson if he moves a Ukraine bill they can support.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Manu Raju ”, Mike Johnson strategized, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, “, we’ve, ” Gaetz, … I’m, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson don’t, Greene, Kevin McCarthy, —, Mike, ”, Chip Roy, Texas, Roy, Anna Moneymaker, Thomas Massie of, ” Massie, Bob Good, McCarthy, She’s grandstanding, ” Good, Good, Ralph Norman of, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Drew Angerer, Hakeem Jeffries, there’s, Haley Talbot, Sheden Tesfaldet Organizations: CNN, House Republicans, Ukraine, Russia, GOP, won’t, Republican, Republicans, U.S, Capitol, Caucus, ” Locations: Ukraine, Florida, Johnson’s, Georgia, Washington , DC, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Virginia, America, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Washington ,

☆ How Johnson wooed Trump to back a GOP congressman targeted by Gaetz
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Manu Raju | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“Seeing as how President Trump endorsed Mike Bost, Matt always finds himself on the wrong side of history,” Miller told CNN. After the GOP leadership’s candidate, Craig Riedel, was caught on tape criticizing Trump, multiple Republicans pulled their endorsement, including Miller and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik. And now, Miller is inserting herself into another incumbent primary race in Illinois: She also is backing Bailey over Bost, her House GOP colleague. But this time, Miller and Gaetz are on the opposite side of Trump in the race. “Darren Bailey proudly stands with President Trump despite disagreeing with him on this endorsement,” a campaign spokesman said.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Manu Raju ’, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Johnson, Trump, Mike Bost, MAGA, Darren Bailey, Richard Hudson of, Max Miller, Bost, –, Kevin McCarthy, Matt, ” Miller, “, ” Darren Bailey, Terrence Antonio James, Tom Williams, Gaetz, Miller, Bailey, ” Gaetz, “ I’ve, he’s, Gaetz “, ” Bost, He’s, ”, Sen, Steve Daines, Republican leadership’s, Matt Rosendale, Craig Riedel, Elise Stefanik, Derek Merrin, Merrin, Byron Donalds of, JD Vance, Marcy Kaptur, Mary Miller of, Caucus hardliner, Rodney Davis, Davis, Bailey’s MAGA, Mike, ” Davis, that’s, it’s, “ Darren Bailey, Gaetz Gaetz, McCarthy, Carlos Gimenez, Don Bacon, I’ve, don’t, Reagan, shrugged, Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer, Christine Park Organizations: Republican, Rep, Republicans, Mar, Lago, Trump, Ohio, GOP, Florida Republican, CNN, Chicago Tribune, Getty, Capitol, Bost, Caucus, Air Force, Senate, Congressional, Democratic, House GOP, House Republican Conference, Getty Images Party, Republican JR Majewski, Street Caucus, ”, Nebraska Republican Locations: Illinois, Richard Hudson of North Carolina, Johnson, Hudson, Florida, Springfield , Illinois, Herrin , Illinois, McCarthy, Ukraine, Montana, House, Ohio’s, Ohio, Byron Donalds of Florida, Mary Miller of Illinois

☆ McCarthy foes face blowback as primary threats grow and GOP donors shut wallets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Melanie Zanona | Manu Raju | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —Donors no longer want to contribute to their campaigns. So we obliged her,” one House Republican told CNN. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee told CNN some “very wealthy folks” shut their wallets to him in the aftermath of his vote. “If you’ve watched, just her philosophy and the flip-flopping, I don’t believe she wins reelection,” McCarthy told CNN. “We are an incumbent-driven organization and support all House Republican incumbents call,” said a spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Manu Raju ”, Nancy Mace, Bob Good, Matt Rosendale, McCarthy, Mace, “ I’m, Trump, Kevin McCarthy’s, ” Mace, “, ”, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, Good, Mace aren’t, Tim Burchett, “ They’ve, ” Burchett, I’m, Burchett —, —, “ He’s, I’d, Andy Biggs of, Biggs, Matt Gaetz, ” Biggs, Bob, Nancy, Mike Johnson, “ McCarthy couldn’t, ” Gaetz, he’s, Gaez, Drew Angerer, Brian O, Walsh, you’ve, Catherine Templeton, John McGuire, Jeff Miller, Marjorie Taylor Greene, McGuire, Tim Sheehy, Rosendale, McCarthy’s, Mark Lamb, Eli Crane, Lamb, Crane, hasn’t, ” Crane, “ Crane, there’s, Mace —, Mace doesn’t, ” McCarthy, Tom Williams, Johnson, Greg Steele, CNN’s David Wright, Sam Fossum, Morgan Rimmer Organizations: Republicans, CNN, Capitol, GOP, Senate, Good, Main Street Caucus, Republican Governance Group, Republican, 1st Congressional District, Freedom Caucus, Florida, ”, Politico, Navy SEAL, Montana Senate, Trump’s, Burchett, Tennessee Republican, Caucus, National Republican Campaign Locations: Washington, South Carolina, Virginia, Montana, Tennessee, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Florida, Washington ,, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Rosendale, California, Arizona, Crane, Trump’s Nevada, Las Vegas, Israel

☆ Exclusive: House ethics probe of Gaetz seeks information from DOJ and woman who allegedly had sex with congressman as a minor
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Paula Reid | Annie Grayer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to the woman whom the congressman allegedly had sexual relations with when she was a 17-year-old minor, according to a source familiar with the committee’s work. The federal probe, which also included allegations he had sex with a minor, concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. The increased activity under Republican leadership is notable given the committee probe was started by House Democrats in 2021. But McCarthy has repeatedly denounced those accusations and has said Gaetz worked to oust the former speaker because of the ethics probe. The probe expanded over the years before the Justice Department officially decided last year not to charge the congressman.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, ” Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, ” McCarthy, “, Norman Eisen, Donald Trump’s, ” Eisen, Eisen, ”, Bill Barr, Joel Greenberg, Department’s, won’t Organizations: GOP, Florida Republican, Justice Department, CNN, Justice, Republican, House Democrats, Department of Justice, Democrats, DOJ, Trump, Gaetz Locations: Florida, California

☆ ‘What Have We Become?’ How Congress Came To Be So Boorish
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Kaia Hubbard | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +7 min

They’re members of Congress. “I mean, straighten up here.”Even before this week, a number of vulgar refrains, heated exchanges and a near physical altercation punctuated this Congress after festering in recent years. What have we become?’”Indeed, this Congress seemed to kick off with drama baked in. The picture of this Congress is a stark departure from expectations for lawmakers in recent history. “For a lot of members, Congress is not a legislature so much as it is a reality television show about a legislature,” C. Lawrence Evans, a professor of government at the College of William & Mary, says.

Persons: –, “, ” Sen, Mazie, Elizabeth Warren, There's, ” Dan Lamb, it's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Hunter Biden, Lauren Boebert, Adam Schiff, Greene, Tim Burchett, McCarthy, Jared Moskowitz, James Comer, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Barack Obama, Lindsey Williams Drath, ” Drath, ”, Drath, Lawrence Evans, College of William & Mary, “ It's, they’re, Mullin, ” Evans, Mike Johnson, Gaetz, Cynthia Lummis, Bernie Sanders, Sanders, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Sanders, Charles Sumner Organizations: Hawaii Democrat, Cornell University, Georgia Republican, Colorado Republican, House Republicans, California Democrat, New, New York Democrat, South Carolina Republican, Forward Party, Republican Party, College of William &, Wyoming Republican, Trump, Capitol Locations: Mazie Hirono, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, New York, Wyoming, Vermont, America, legislating, Arizona

☆ An aggrieved McCarthy weighs leaving the House with his GOP foes on his mind
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( Manu Raju | Sam Fossum | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

McCarthy continually accused Gaetz of only going after him because of a House Ethics Committee probe he’s facing, a charge the GOP hardliner has repeatedly denied. “If the Ethics Committee never does anything to Gaetz, then Gaetz was successful in stopping probably what rightfully should come to him,” McCarthy said. Asked if he were concerned about Johnson’s approach to Gaetz, McCarthy said: “That’s a question for Speaker Johnson. It’s not good for the House,’” McCarthy said of Pelosi. Asked if he had thought he would make it two years as speaker, McCarthy said: “I never knew.”McCarthy credited Trump for his winning the gavel.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, GOP hardliner, “, ” McCarthy, Mike Johnson’s, –, Johnson doesn’t, Johnson, ”, ” Gaetz, Harry Truman, he’d, Franklin Roosevelt’s, “ I’m, hasn’t, Hakeem Jeffries, —, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi, ‘, We’d, It’s, ’ ” McCarthy, ” Aaron Bennett, ” Bennett, Pelsoi, Trump, ” Haley Talbot, Shania Shelton Organizations: CNN, Former, Republicans, California Republican, GOP, Republican, Congressional, Fund, American Action, Louisiana Republican, New York Democrat, Capitol, Trump, Florida Republican Locations: California, Florida, Washington, Louisiana

☆ Biden impeachment inquiry end game comes into focus, but moderate Republicans still not sold
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Annie Grayer | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In recent days, Comer has said in media appearances that subpoenas for Biden family members are “imminent.”The end of the inquiry is still likely months away. They did, however, secure an interview with the special counsel overseeing the Hunter Biden criminal probe, David Weiss, for Tuesday, which is unprecedented given that the case is ongoing. At every turn, House Democrats and the White House have dismissed the allegations against the president and poked holes in the Republican-led investigation. “The subpoenas to Hunter Biden and other members of the Biden family should have already happened,” Gaetz told CNN. “We’ll see what comes out.”Even members involved in the inquiry know that the evidence doesn’t clear the key hurdles needed to move forward.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, –, “, Jim Jordan, Jordan, James Comer, James, Hunter, Comer, David Weiss, Jamie Raskin, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Matt Gaetz, ” Johnson, ” What’s, they’ve, ’ ” Comer, I’ve, we’ve, ”, James Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Hunter Biden, ” Gaetz, Comer doesn’t, hadn’t, it’s, ” Comer, Jack Morgan, Mark Daly, Lesley Wolf, Morgan, Daly, “ There’s, ” Jordan, Don Bacon, Mike Lawler, we’ll, ” Lawler, , Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom McClintock, Doug LaMalfa, “ I’ve, Steve Womack, Mike Rogers of Organizations: Republicans, GOP, Ohio Republican, CNN, Hunter Biden, House Democrats, Republican, Maryland, Capitol, Judiciary, of Justice, DOJ, The Justice, Nebraska Republican, Committee, ”, California Republican, Arkansas Republican Locations: Ohio, Florida, Ukrainian, Nebraska, New York, California, Arkansas, Mike Rogers of Alabama

☆ Influencer model infects US political fundraising
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Ben Winck | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

In turn, leaders like former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Republican Speaker Paul Ryan collected tens of millions of dollars to divert to politically valuable campaigns elsewhere in the party. Florida Republican Matt Gaetz has raised nearly $2 million this year, helped by fundraising emails sent in the lead-up to his successful effort to remove Republican Representative Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. Vocal conservatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert have raised $2.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively, for their 2024 House campaigns. McCarthy raised 2.9% of House Republicans’ cash in the 2022 elections. Republican Representative Garret Graves criticized Representative Matt Gaetz on Oct. 3 for using his vote to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as a fundraising opportunity.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Nathan Howard, –, Nancy Pelosi, Paul Ryan, Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, McCarthy, John Boehner, Taylor, Garret Graves, Matt Gaetz, Graves gestured, Gaetz, ” Gaetz, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam Organizations: Republican, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Representatives, Democratic, Florida Republican, Republicans, U.S . House, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Florida, U.S

Gaetz, a far-right House Republican who viewed Speaker Kevin McCarthy as too willing to compromise with Democrats, started a process three weeks ago to unseat him. Not only did that effort work, but House Republicans emerged from their recent chaos yesterday to elect Mike Johnson as the new speaker. “Because now we have both a man and a plan.”Johnson had little national profile until he emerged as the leading candidate for speaker on Tuesday night. Unlike the three failed speaker candidates who came before him, Johnson has few enemies among House Republicans. His hallmark in Congress, our colleague Annie Karni wrote in a profile of Johnson, “has been combining his hard-line views with a gentle personal style.”

Persons: Matt Gaetz’s, Kevin McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Johnson, McCarthy, “, ” Gaetz, ” Johnson, Susan Collins, Annie Karni Organizations: Republican, Democrats, Republicans, 118th, Wall Street, Maine Republican, House Republicans Locations: Maine

WASHINGTON (AP) — A low-key lawmaker in Congress for less than a decade, new House Speaker Mike Johnson isn’t recognizable to most Americans. But the social conservative and devoted ally of former President Donald Trump has been a quiet force within the Republican conference he now unexpectedly leads. “A friend to all and an enemy to none,” Republican conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik said when nominating Johnson ahead of the speaker vote Wednesday. A constitutional lawyer and former member of the Louisiana state House, Johnson was first elected to the U.S. House in 2016. Among the more conservative members of the GOP conference, Johnson has consistently opposed a woman’s right to abortion — “we will get the number of abortions to ZERO!

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, “, Elise Stefanik, Johnson, ” Johnson, Newt Gingrich, —, Trump’s, Jim Jordan, Trump, ”, Doug Collins, Collins, Mike, ” Collins, Biden, Virginia Foxx, Hakeem Jeffries, Matt Gaetz, McCarthy’s, I’ve, ” Gaetz, ” McCarthy, Mario Diaz Balart, Jordan’s, Thomas Massie, Kevin Freking, Stephen Groves, Lisa Mascaro, Farnoush Amiri, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Louisiana Republican, GOP, U.S . House, Twitter, Committee, Trump, ” Former Georgia, Capitol, North Carolina Rep, Democratic, Florida, Associated Press Locations: Louisiana, Israel, Georgia

☆ How the ‘uniparty’ myth shut the House down
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Republicans’ House speaker morass continued Tuesday with a little help from former President Donald Trump. Yet another lawmaker with support from most House Republicans – Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who was picked as their party’s nominee – failed to get the support of nearly all Republicans. What is ‘uniparty?’The term “uniparty” has been a favorite of people like Steve Bannon, the former Trump White House official turned podcaster. “You’ve got a small band of House conservatives who are fighting, really, in a lot of ways, a political guerrilla war against that uniparty,” Gaetz said. The majority of House Republicans backed Emmer, their fourth choice this year to be speaker, in both secret ballot voting and a behind-closed-doors roll call vote.

Persons: morass, Donald Trump, Tom Emmer, –, Trump, Emmer, he’s, ”, Steve Bannon, He’s, Matt Gaetz, Sebastian Gorka, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Hakeem Jeffries, Gaetz, “ You’ve, ” Gaetz, McCarthy, Biden, Andy Biggs of, “ Don’t, ” Biggs, holdouts, Ralph Nader Organizations: CNN, Republicans ’, Republicans – Rep, Republicans, Emmer, ”, Democrats, Republican, Capitol, Trump White House, Fox, America, Salem Radio, Florida Republican, Salem News Channel, Democratic, Politico, Green Party, Pew Research Center Locations: Minnesota, Ukraine, New York, Washington, Florida, cahoots, Andy Biggs of Arizona

Rep. Jim Jordan is the new GOP speaker nominee following Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s exit from the race. Jordan has the weekend to continue to make his case and attempt to flip holdouts, but he faces a steep uphill battle. But it soon became clear that Jordan also faces a stiff wall of resistance. That vote, which was cast by secret ballot, was 152 to 55, laying bare the major challenge Jordan faces in his bid for the gavel. Jordan or any other Republican speaker candidate can only afford to lose four GOP votes when the full House votes for speaker if all members are voting.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise’s, Jordan, Scalise, CNN’s Manu Raju, McCarthy, “, Feedback McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Chip Somodevilla, Austin Scott of Georgia –, Mike Garcia, ”, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, ” Gaetz, CNN’s Michael Smerconish, “ Jim Jordan, ” Jordan, Patrick McHenry of Organizations: CNN, Republicans, GOP, Rep, Ohio Republican, Hamas, CNN Republicans, Capitol, GOP Rep, Republican, Democrats, Caucus Locations: Ohio, Ukraine, Washington ,, Jordan, California, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina

WASHINGTON (AP) — Having won the nomination to be the next House speaker, Rep. Steve Scalise is heading straight into a familiar Republican problem — skeptical GOP colleagues are reluctant to give their support, denying him the majority vote needed to win the gavel. “We did not hear that.”In a floor vote, Scalise would need to amass votes from almost all Republicans to overcome the Democratic opposition in the House that is narrowly split 221-212. Many Republicans want to prevent the spectacle of a messy House floor fight like the grueling January brawl when McCarthy became speaker. One-quarter of Republicans say they approve of the decision by a small group of Republicans to remove McCarthy as speaker. “Long live Speaker Scalise,” Gaetz said after the vote.

Persons: —, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, “, ” Scalise, McCarthy, holdouts, “ Steve’s, ”, Jordan, Donald Trump, Hakeem Jeffries, Don Bacon, Steve, Let's, ” Bacon, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thomas Massie, Anna Paulina Luna, Scalise, Joe Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre said, Matt Gaetz, “ Long, ” Gaetz, Patrick McHenry, Kevin Freking, Seung Min Kim Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Scalise, Republican, New York Rep, GOP, Democratic, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, White, Freedom Caucus, Trump, Capitol . Trump Locations: Ky, Jordan, R

Search resuls for: "” Gaetz"

25 mentions found