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Trump’s pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was accused of sexual assault. Trump himself has faced various sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied, though he was found liable last year for sexual abuse in a civil trial over an alleged incident in the 1990s that he also denies. Now, after having won the presidency again, he’s spending early political capital to confirm appointees who have faced sexual misconduct allegations of their own. The allegations against Trump’s picksGaetz’s years of controversies have been thrust back into the spotlight now that he’s up for a Cabinet post. “It’s a very scary time for young men in America when you can be guilty of something that you may not be guilty of,” Trump told reporters.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Gaetz, Hegseth, Kennedy, “, Trump, ”, Marc Short, Mike Pence’s, we’ve, Trump’s, hasn’t, Tim Parlatore, Bill Clinton’s, George H.W, Barack Obama’s, haven’t, Andy Puzder, Puzder, Patrick Shanahan, Shanahan, Ronny Jackson, Jackson, Brett Kavanaugh, Kavanaugh, ” Trump, reconsidering, JD Vance, Karoline Leavitt, Vance, MAGA, ” Leavitt Organizations: NBC News, NBC, “, Justice Department, Trump, Committee, Washington Post, Republican, You’re, Politico, Pentagon, White House, Department of Veterans Affairs, Supreme, Capitol, White Locations: groping, Florida, America, Hegseth, Washington

☆ After a stinging election defeat, the Democrats' next big race kicks off: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +12 min

After a stinging election defeat, the race to lead the DNC kicks offBy Natasha Korecki and Alex Seitz-WaldTwo weeks after suffering another stinging defeat to Donald Trump, Democrats are in the throes of dissecting what went wrong and figuring out their path forward. Martin O’Malley, a onetime presidential candidate and the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, kicked off the race by entering the fray. Minnesota Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin, a DNC vice chair and leader of the Association of State Democratic Committees, followed by formally announcing his candidacy Tuesday. Still looming out there: Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, who has developed a reputation as a prodigious fundraiser and field organizer. Read more → ☑️ Latest race calls: Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur defeated Republican Derek Merrin in Ohio’s competitive 9th District, NBC News projected.

Persons: Natasha Korecki, Alex Seitz, Wald, Chuck Todd, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Jaime Harrison, Martin O’Malley, Ken Martin, Martin, O’Malley, Chuck Rocha, Sen, Mallory McMorrow, Ben Wikler, “ Ben, That’s, Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama, Emanuel, Adam Parkhomenko, Hillary Clinton’s, “, ” Parkhomenko, James Zogby, it’s, Howard Dean, Obama —, Chuck Todd Here’s, Trumpism, Trump, wasn’t, Harris, Biden, Read, Chuck → ➡️, Matt Gaetz, Lloyd Austin, Pete Hegseth, Linda McMahon, Matt Whitaker, 🗞️ Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Democratic National Committee, DNC, Maryland Gov, Social Security Administration, Minnesota Democratic, Association of State Democratic Committees, Democratic, Politico, Republican, Democratic National Convention, Wisconsin Democratic, Chicago, NBC News, Arab American Institute, America, GOP, Pentagon, “ DEI, Biden, Chuck → ➡️ Trump, Wrestling Entertainment, Education Department, Former, Atlantic Treaty Organization Locations: Michigan, U.S, Japan, Oklahoma

The House Ethics Committee weighs releasing their report on Matt Gaetz. And Susan Smith, who made headlines for killing her sons 30 years ago, is up for parole. The Ethics Committee has jurisdiction only over sitting members of Congress, Johnson argues. But there is precedent for the Ethics Committee to publish reports after a member of Congress has resigned. Susan Smith up for parole 30 years after killing her sonsSusan Smith leaves court after a hearing in Union, S.C., in 1995.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Susan Smith, Donald Trump, Gaetz, Susan Wild, Joel Leppard, Mike Johnson, Trump, Johnson, Read, Mike Cavanaugh, ”, Vladimir Putin, Brooks Kraft, Smith’s, Michael, Alex, Smith, Rafael Nadal, Jay Leno, Barbara Gauntt, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Lumumba, — Bracey Harris Organizations: Comcast, Justice Department, Republicans, Democrats, Gaetz, MSNBC, Syfy, Golf, CNBC, Oxygen, NBC News, NBC, Bravo, United, Brooks, Brooks Kraft LLC, Getty, South, Davis, Mississippi State Capitol, Clarion, Ledger, Residents Locations: Florida, USA, U.S, Kyiv, United States, Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine, Union, South Carolina, Northern California, Pacific, California, Jackson

WASHINGTON — Members of the House Ethics Committee will meet behind closed doors Wednesday afternoon to discuss whether to publicly release a report detailing their sweeping investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general. Several Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have said they want to review the House report before a Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for Gaetz next year. She argued that there is precedent for the Ethics Committee to publish reports after members of Congress have resigned. If the committee declines to make the Gaetz report public, any House member can try to force a vote to release it. In September 1996, House Democrats tried to force the Ethics Committee to release a report from an outside counsel about its investigation of then-Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Trump, “ I’ve, ” Johnson, “ Matt Gaetz, —, Michael Guest, Susan Wild, Joel Leppard, Leppard, ”, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, Bill Boner, Boner, Boner’s, Buz Lukens, Newt Gingrich Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republicans, Democrats, Justice Department, NBC News, Trump, Capitol, Cabinet, Senate, Congress, “, Committee Locations: Florida, Nashville, Ohio

☆ Ethics Committee deadlocks on releasing Matt Gaetz sex, drug probe report
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee deadlocked Wednesday on whether to release a report on its investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and other wrongdoing by former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. Ethics Chair Michael Guest, R-Miss., told reporters after the closed-door meeting on Capitol Hill, "There has been no agreement to release the report." She stressed that the vote in the 10-member committee, which is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats, fell along partisan lines. In September he said he would no longer voluntarily participate in the ethics probe, while revealing that the committee had asked him whether he ever "engaged in sexual activity with any individual under 18." Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee urged the FBI earlier Wednesday to turn over all the evidence it had gathered from its investigation into Gaetz.

Persons: Sen, JD Vance, Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's, Michael Guest, Susan Wild of, Wild, Guest's, Gaetz, Trump, Guest, Gaetz's, Dick Durbin Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Republican, Republicans, Democrats, Department of Justice, DOJ, Senate Locations: Washington ,, Susan Wild of Pennsylvania

Leppard said his clients only spoke to the Ethics Committee after receiving a subpoena and would only testify in public "with a valid legal subpoena that requires them to speak." But he said he would prefer to get that information either through the House Ethics Committee report or from the Justice Department. But, he added, that getting a copy of the House Ethics Committee report would be “the right starting point, politically balanced and complete. Wild and other Democrats on the House Ethics Committee want the report released to the public — or at least sent to Senate Judiciary members for their review. “I have not dictated anything to the Ethics Committee.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Joel Leppard, Leppard, Donald Trump, rouser, haven’t, Trump, Mckenzie Lange, Dick Durbin, he’s, ” Durbin, Michael Guest, Susan Wild, Mike Johnson, “, I’ve, ” Johnson, “ I’m, ” Leppard, Sen, Richard Blumenthal, victimize, ” “, ” Blumenthal, JD Vance, Kevin Cramer, Cramer Organizations: NBC News, USA Today Network Senate, Justice Department, NBC, Trump, Judiciary, Committee, Senate Locations: Orlando, America, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut

Trump has been “heavily working the phones” to Republican senators for their support on behalf of Gaetz, according to a transition official. Trump announced Gaetz as his pick nearly a week ago. The official said Trump’s transition knows Gaetz is the toughest confirmation they will have to fight for by far. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, said he had received a phone call from Trump personally urging him to support Gaetz. This year, Trump announced his first pick to be White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles just two days after election day.

Persons: Donald Trump, Justice Department — Matt Gaetz —, Trump, JD Vance, Chris Wray's, Vance, Biden, Pete Hegseth, Gaetz, “ Trump, Sen, John Thune, Kevin Cramer, ” Cramer, Ron Klain, Susie Wiles, Ben Carson, Carson, Elon Musk, Musk, Howard Lutnick Organizations: Justice Department, FBI, Trump, State , Defense, Homeland Security, Commerce, National Intelligence and National Security, White, Urban, Treasury Department, ‘ Department, Government Locations: Mar

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

Donald Trump and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines in August 2023. That “seemed to matter” to the committee, Leppard said, adding that committee members were concerned about illegal drug use and payments for sex. On at least two occasions, Leppard said, his clients had sex with Gaetz outside Florida. The women were not paid for sex during the trips, but Gaetz paid for their flights, lodging and entertainment, Leppard said. The two women are private people, who have no political leanings and no motivation to take down Gaetz, Leppard said.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Joel Leppard, Orlando . Leppard, Gaetz, ”, Leppard, Donald Trump, Al Drago, “, Trump, Alex Pfeiffer, He’s, ” Pfeiffer Organizations: Justice Department, NBC, Fair, Bloomberg, Getty, The Justice, FBI, Gaetz, Republican U.S, Trump, Committee Locations: Florida, Orlando, Iowa, Des Moines, New York City, Bahamas

☆ Trump escalates test of strength over Gaetz pick
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Video Ad Feedback Lawyer describes client's testimony in House Ethics Committee investigation of Gaetz 03:04 - Source: CNNThe Ethics Committee report has quickly become the first big crisis of the nascent second Trump administration. A small handful of Republican senators would be needed to defect in order to block Gaetz’s nomination when the party controls the Senate majority next year. GOP senators could pay a price for a prolonged confirmation fightIf Trump sticks with his pick, Republican senators feeling the MAGA movement’s pressure could be forced to defend Gaetz for weeks. Maine Sen. Susan Collins told CNN’s Raju that it would be “helpful” to see the House Ethics report. “Whether we get the ethics report or not, the facts are going to come out one way or the other,” Cornyn said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Joel Leppard, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Trump, Dakota Sen, Kevin Cramer, ” Cramer, CNN’s Manu Raju, MAGA, Cramer, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Florida Republican –, Capitol Hill, it’s, Washington Trump, Bill Clinton, Zoë Baird, Kimba Wood, Maine Sen, Susan Collins, CNN’s Raju, Texas Sen, John Cornyn, ” Cornyn, “, Johnson, Susan Wild of, won’t, —, ” CNN’s Kristen Holmes, Axios, Kennedy, Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, It’s Organizations: CNN, Florida Republican, Justice Department, Trump, Gaetz, Fox News, Human Services Department, GOP, Capitol, FBI, Democrat, —, National Intelligence, Senate, Republican, North Dakota Republican Locations: Dakota, Washington, Texas, Susan Wild of Pennsylvania

And Gaetz himself has been making calls to GOP senators and visiting his own loyalists in the House GOP. The pressure is all building ahead of a planned Wednesday meeting of the House ethics panel, which is expected to discuss the fate of the report. But privately, Republicans on the panel are signaling that they could bury the report as Gaetz and Trump are making direct appeals. In a call last week to GOP Sen. Josh Hawley, Gaetz urged him “to give him a shot,” Hawley told CNN. Meanwhile, nearly 100 House Democrats are calling on the House Ethics Committee to “immediately” release the report.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, J.D, Vance, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, GOP Sen, Chuck Grassley, we’ve, ” Grassley, “ You’ve, …, Sen, John Kennedy, Pete Hegseth, Elise Stefanik, Doug Collins, Trump, Lindsey Graham, Judiciary —, Josh Hawley, “, ” Hawley, Hawley, Mike Simpson, ” Simpson, ”, Simpson, Kevin McCarthy, “ Matt, Rogers, Gaetz wouldn’t, Tim Burchett, he’s, Glenn Ivey, Ivey Organizations: CNN, GOP, Capitol Hill, Republican, Trump, Louisiana Republican, Fox News, Department of Defense, United Nations, Veterans Affairs, Judiciary, House, Caucus, Missouri Republican, Republicans, Armed, Democrats, Capitol, Florida congressman, ” Democratic, Maryland Locations: Trump, Louisiana, United, Gaetz, Florida

☆ With Elon Musk in tow, Trump eyes changes to government policies on AI and its risks
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Republican document said the executive order contained “radical leftwing ideas” that hindered innovation. The most advanced AI systems could, in the worst case, “pose an extinction-level threat to the human species,” the report said. A related document said AI systems could be used to implement “high-impact cyberattacks capable of crippling critical infrastructure,” among a litany of risks. However, he worries that a repeal of Biden’s executive order would spell the end of the US government’s AI Safety Institute. It is possible that that would be the subject of a future Trump executive order,” said Strait.

Persons: London CNN — Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Sandra Wachter, ”, Andrew Strait, Ada Lovelace, Strait, Kamala Harris, Musk, Steve Kramer, Dean Phillips, Biden, Phillips ’, Taylor Swift, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, ” Manoj Chaudhary, What’s, It’s “, Trump, ” Strait, Gavin Newsom, JD Vance, “, Musk’s Tesla Organizations: London CNN, White House, Republican Party, Republican, Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University, CNN, Ada, Ada Lovelace Institute, US Department of Homeland Security, Democratic, US State Department, AI Safety, “ Department, Government, Trump Locations: London, United States, New Hampshire, Alexandria, Colorado, New York, ”, California

☆ How Trump's rich Cabinet members could save millions thanks to a little-known tax break
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementTwo of the reported candidates for Treasury Secretary made their fortunes on Wall Street, including billionaire Apollo CEO Marc Rowan. Eligible federal appointees can defer capital gains taxes indefinitely when they sell stock or other assets in order to avoid a conflict of interest. As a top earner in New York, they would normally have to pay more than $3 million in capital gains taxes. The sum that would have been spent on capital gains taxes is now free to compound and grow. The IRS allows investors to defer capital gains taxes in other scenarios that are deemed outside their control.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Trump, Howard Lutnick, Cantor Fitzgerald, Major Trump, Chris Wright, Marc Rowan, Bush, Goldman Sachs, Henry Paulson, George H.W, Bob Willens, You've, Scott Bessent, frontrunners, eyeing Rowan, Kevin Warsh, Morgan Stanley, Warsh, Jane Lauder, Rowan, Ed Renn of Withersworldwide, Penny Pritzker, Mark Parthemer, Willens, Renn Organizations: Commerce, of Energy, Treasury, Executives, Columbia Business School, Federal Reserve, Government, IRS Locations: George H.W . Bush, New York

☆ 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

☆ What awaits the GOP's narrow House majority: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

In today’s edition, national political reporter Ben Kamisar examines how House Republicans are growing increasingly aligned with Donald Trump. “One of the main takeaways from this cycle is that the Democratic Party has a lot of work to do on how we’re reaching voters,” Democratic strategist Christina Freundlich said. It’s one more thing a narrow House Republican majority will have to work through early next year. The remaining House Republicans are going to have to summon a different level of unity than they have managed recently to move the party’s legislative agenda. Martin O’Malley, a onetime presidential candidate, announced he’d enter the race for Democratic Party chair, but many more names are already circulating.

Persons: Ben Kamisar, Donald Trump, Kristen Welker, Mark Murray, Kamala Harris, Harris, Trump, Christina Freundlich, “, Steve Schale, Barack Obama’s, Joe Biden, ”, ” Schale, Sen, John Fetterman, Sahil Kapur, Syedah Asghar, Ryan Nobles, Kyle Stewart, Mike Johnson, We’re, ” Johnson, Donald Trump’s, you’d, —, Matt Gaetz’s, Elise Stefanik, Mike Waltz, Pete Hegseth, Brendan Carr, Carr, Johnson, ann o, lea Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Republicans, Press, Democrats, Democratic Party, Democratic, PAC, Kyle Stewart Congress, “ Fox, Republican, NBC News, Trump, Fox News, Federal Communications Commission’s, adjourning, gov Locations: Florida, Gaetz

WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee plans to meet Wednesday to discuss its report into former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, a source familiar with the meeting confirmed on Monday. But the committee lost jurisdiction over Gaetz when he resigned from the House on Thursday and has not released any public report on its probe. On Friday, an attorney said that his client testified privately before the Ethics Committee that she personally witnessed Gaetz have sex with a minor. The House Ethics panel had been scheduled to discuss the report at its regular Friday meeting but it was postponed after Gaetz resigned. Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., said senators should "absolutely" have access to the House report.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Gaetz, Mike Johnson, Bill Boner, Buz Lukens, ” Johnson, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Mullin, Trump's Organizations: GOP, CNN, Trump, Madison Locations: Ohio, “ State, Washington, Mar, Florida

☆ House Ethics panel to meet on Trump attorney general pick Matt Gaetz report Wednesday
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The House Ethics Committee will meet Wednesday to discuss its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next attorney general, NBC News reported Monday. Several key Republican senators want the report on Gaetz released to the Senate for their consideration on whether to confirm him for the AG post, if and when Trump formally nominates him. The Ethics Committee had been investigating Gaetz for alleged sexual misconduct and potential illegal drug use, and other actions. The panel had been scheduled to meet last Friday on the report but postponed that session. Gaetz, who represented a Florida congressional district, resigned abruptly from the House last week after Trump said he would nominate him for AG.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump, Gaetz, Trump Organizations: NBC News, Senate, Trump, AG Locations: Florida

☆ Trump doubles down on provocative Cabinet picks as their fates hang in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Not all of Trump’s picks are causing uproar. But in a conventional administration, controversies raging around at least four key Cabinet picks would be seen as a disaster. The president-elect’s son explains the planGaetz and several other Trump picks have caused consternation in some circles given the questions about their qualifications and past behavior. That’s what the American people want.”It would take a handful of Republican senators to block the most provocative Trump nominees early next year, given that Democrats are likely to vote en masse against them. If he’s qualified, he’s qualified.”Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt said he believed Trump’s nominees would get confirmed.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Hegseth, Trump’s, Intrigue, Gaetz, —, Kennedy, Florida Sen, Marco Rubio, Trump, he’s, ” Johnson, South Dakota Sen, John Thune, Mike Johnson, CNN’s Jake Tapper, “, ” Sen, Adam Schiff, Jim Himes, they’re, Matt Gaetz —, Robert Kennedy, Tulsi, ” Trump, Donald Trump Jr, ”, Sen, Markwayne Mullin, “ I’ve, … I’ve, Matt, ” Missouri Sen, Eric Schmitt, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Pennsylvania Sen, John Fetterman Organizations: CNN, Washington, Republican Senate, Office, Fox News, Florida Republican, of Justice, Department of Health, Human Services, Senate, Trump, South, Louisiana Republican, California Democrat, Democrat, House Intelligence, Sunday, Connecticut Democrat, CBS, Republican, Fox Business, Oklahoma Republican, Press, ” Locations: Gaetz, — Russia, Washington, Florida, South Dakota, “ State, Louisiana, United States, California, Connecticut, ” Missouri, Alabama, Pennsylvania

☆ 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

Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday left the door open to adjourning Congress so President-elect Donald Trump can appoint his Cabinet nominees outside of the usual Senate confirmation process if necessary. Both chambers usually gavel in for pro forma sessions even during times of recess specifically to prevent the president from making recess appointments and bypassing congressional approval. President Barack Obama once tried to use recess appointments and was rebuked by the Supreme Court, which said in 2014 that recesses needed to be 10 days or longer for recess appointments to be legal. Johnson isn’t the only Trump ally who has left the door open to using a recess appointment to confirm Trump’s Cabinet picks. “I have literally not discussed one word about the ethics report, not once, and I’ve been with him quite a bit this week,” Johnson said.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, ” Johnson, “, he’d, Trump, Johnson, Barack Obama, Trump’s, , Oklahoma GOP Sen, Markwayne Mullin, It’d, ” Mullin, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Dick Durbin, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, There’s, I’ve Organizations: Sunday, “ Fox, Supreme, , Oklahoma GOP, NBC, Press, GOP, Democratic, Trump’s, House, CNN Locations: Washington, , Oklahoma, D, Gaetz

☆ Meet the Press – November 17, 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +58 min

And by the way, I do believe that President Trump has the ability to pick some really, really good people. We've seen what they've done to President Trump, we've seen the attacks that they continue to go after him with. That's - that’s being taken completely out of context. And President Trump hasn't been the one that weaponized the DOJ to go after his political enemies. I think that's a pretty controversial pick, from whatever pronoun that he or he - he or she decides to use.

Persons: KRISTEN WELKER, Donald Trump’s, SEN, LISA MURKOWSKI, SUSAN COLLINS, KEVIN CRAMER, JOHN BOLTON, Trump’s, Trump, MIKE JOHNSON, JOHN, CHUCK SCHUMER, DONALD TRUMP, Hakeem Jeffries, Markwayne Mullin, Amna Nawaz, Eugene Daniels, Jen Psaki, Lanhee Chen, it’s, Kristen Welker, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, who's, we're, Mike Johnson, Johnson, MATT GAETZ, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Kennedy, he's, ROBERT F KENNEDY JR, I'm, I've, LEX FRIDMAN, Trump's, Pete Hegseth, Hegseth, ” Hegseth, SHAWN RYAN, PETE HEGSETH, Mullin, Press . SEN, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Kristen, you've, Kristi Noem, Matt Gaetz's, they're, Matt, Here's, We've, we've, Biden, Hunter Biden, didn't, Trump hasn't, Garland, Pete, Bobby Kennedy, Bobby, Rachel, Sam, There's, Pete Buttigieg, Let's, Kristen –, there's, let's, Chuck Schumer, Obama, Canning, we'll, He's, Jeffries, HAKEEM JEFFRIES, Roe, Wade, Pelosi's, Pelosi, It's, Nancy Pelosi, Jim Clyburn, Steny Hoyer, That's, should've, Kamala Harris, it's, Matt Gaetz –, Tulsi Gabbard, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Assad, She's, Dick Durbin, Donald Trump's, Politico “ Playbook, AMNA NAWAZ, Jim Mattis, Rex Tillerson, John Kelly, Eugene, EUGENE DANIELS, –, Susan Collins, hasn't, LANHEE CHEN, aren't, Doug Burgum, Marco Rubio, Elise Stefanik, Jen, JEN PSAKI, – AMNA NAWAZ, that's, Thune, Biden's, George W, Bush, Joe Biden, JOE BIDEN, – I’ve, —, – JEN PSAKI, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, We're, We'll Organizations: GOP, Democratic, Oklahoma, PBS, White House Press, Hoover Institution, Press, NBC, Department of Justice, Mar, FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ, NBC News, Republicans, of Health, Human Services, Defense, Fox News, Police, Republican, Pentagon, Press ., Trump, Senate, Biden, White, Justice Department, America, Senate Armed Services Committee, The Washington, HHS, of Energy, Department of Transportation, RFK Jr, ’, House Democratic, Democracy, REP, House Democrats, Social, Medicare, Democrats, Committee, of, Politico, Stanford University, Trump’s, Gaetz, Department of Defense, Office, Mr, Republican Party, Democratic Party Locations: Washington, America, Florida, Monterey , California, States, Oklahoma, Russia, United States, Afghanistan, Iraq, New York, American, Syria, Russian, Will, California, –, Trump

Following Trump’s decisive election victory, many DOJ officials and career staffers were already nervous about the possibility that they would be targeted by Trump loyalists, particularly members of Congress. “Everything we did was above board,” said a former senior FBI official, who has started contacting lawyers because he expects to be prosecuted himself. “Agents have to do 20 years,” the former senior FBI official said. DOJ and FBI officials say that the Trump investigations were carried out properly. Now, a new group of DOJ and FBI officials are facing the prospect of hefty legal fees as well.

Persons: Trump, Matt Gaetz, ”, elect’s, beholden, Gaetz, “, “ Trump, Wally Skalij, Weeks, Stephen Cheung, Witch Hunt, ” Cheung, Stephen Gillers, General Merrick Garland, Trump’s, Garland, Mike Davis, Jack Smith, Smith, Donald Trump, Jacquelyn Martin, Ilya Somin, ” Somin, Robert Mueller, Paul Manafort, Bill Barr, John Durham, Russia’s, Durham, Jack Smith’s, ” Gillers, Captain Ahab Organizations: Justice Department, FBI, Trump loyalists, Trump, “, DOJ, Los Angeles Times, Getty Images Trump, New York University Law School, ”, DOJ DOJ, Department, Justice, George Mason University, Russia, CIA, NYU Locations: Coachella , Calif, Washington, Gaetz

But many Republicans and Gaetz allies have touted his aggressive style as an essential attribute for an attorney general. The president-elect filled some of those spots Thursday evening, appointing a series of his own personal lawyers to run key sections of the Justice Department. Trump also announced his selection of Emile Bove, another member of his criminal defense team, to be principal associate attorney general. Now, while some of his colleagues in Congress expressed skepticism of his pick as attorney general, they said they are prepared for a detailed confirmation process. As attorney general, Gaetz would be in control of the FBI investigative files that detail the evidence the bureau uncovered.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Trump, Gaetz, there’s, John Morgan, doubters, Morgan, ” Morgan, “, General Merrick Garland, Joe Biden, Todd Blanche, Emile Bove, ”, AnchorsGordon didn’t, Lawrence “ Larry ” Keefe, Keefe, Ron DeSantis, Feedback Sen, Klobuchar, —, Michael Cohen, Sen, Rick Scott, ” Gaetz, Hunter, Hank Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, Liz Cheney, Gaetz didn’t, South Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, Bill Barr, Joel Greenberg, CNN’s Kristen Holmes Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Trump, Florida Republican, Prosecutors, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Democrats, Capitol, Senate, Panhandle Republican, Truman, Florida State University, & Mary Law School, AnchorsGordon, Florida Panhandle, Partners, Florida, Northern, Northern District of Florida, Vineyard, Tallahassee statehouse, Republican, Florida Bar, Florida Republicans, Washington Elected, White, Republican Party, House Republican, Union, House Intelligence, Democratic, Judiciary Committee, FBI, South, Garland’s Justice Department Locations: Congress, United States, Trump’s, Florida, Gaetz, Manhattan, Northern District, Texas, Tallahassee, Washington, Wyoming, South Carolina

☆ House Speaker Johnson calls ethics report on Matt Gaetz a 'rough draft' and says it shouldn't be released
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that House Ethics Committee's probe into Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. attorney general, is a "Pandora's box" and said the report from it should not be released. The House Ethics Committee was investigating allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and other wrongdoing. I don't think we want the House Ethics Committee using all of its vast resources and powers to go after private citizens, and that's what Matt Gaetz is now," Johnson said. Gaetz's resignation effectively ends the Ethics Committee probe because the panel's reach is limited to members of the House. On Friday, a lawyer for a woman told the Ethics committee she saw Gaetz have sex with a minor, NBC News reported.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's, Gaetz, Johnson, Gaetz's, Gaetz didn't, Department of Justice —, Joel Leppard, —, Kevin Breuninger Organizations: Republican, U.S . Capitol House, U.S, Louisiana Republican, Punchbowl News, Department of Justice, NBC News Locations: Washington , U.S, Louisiana, Florida, Orlando

☆ How century-old arbitration laws are failing consumers in the digital age
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-17 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementLarge companies like Disney and Uber have arbitration clauses in their Terms of Use. AdvertisementIt's a near-century-old practice that some legal experts say should be modernized for the digital age. The Disney caseIn the case of large companies, arbitration clauses included in one service can often apply to any service the company offers. AdvertisementHow consumers protect themselves from arbitration clausesCammarata said one way consumers can navigate arbitration is to check if a company's terms of use has an opt-out clause. Lee said that while courts tend to be critical of arbitration clauses in employment agreements, they're less so regarding things like streaming services or rideshare apps.

Persons: David Horton, Jeffrey Piccolo's, Kanokporn Tangsuan, Tangsuan, Piccolo, Disney, Josh D'Amaro, Joseph Cammarata, Sherman, Siegel, P.C, John, Georgia McGinty, Uber, Stark, John McGinty, Georgia McGinty Stacey Lee, Johns, Lee, Cammarata, it's, John Carpenter, Carpenter, Zuckerman Organizations: Disney, University of California, Davis, School of Law, University of Pennsylvania, New, New York State, Disney Springs, Planet Hollywood, Walt Disney, Getty, Ninth, Business, Washington DC, of, Georgia, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Association of America, Federal Locations: New York, Central Florida, Orange County , Florida, Chaikin, Washington, Georgia, Superior, of New Jersey, California

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