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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

While Gaetz’s ability to be confirmed appears on the rocks among Senate Republicans, President-elect Donald Trump’s team remains confident he will eventually be confirmed, even if it’s after an ugly battle. Gaetz and Trump attorney Todd Blanche are moving full speed ahead on trying to fill out the Justice Department, according to sources familiar with the planning. In his few terms in the House, Gaetz has often been embroiled in controversy. The attorney, John Clune, also called for the release of a House Ethics Committee report detailing the committee’s investigation into Gaetz, which has been ongoing for several years. Since the Truth Social post, Trump has not asked for any specific Cabinet pick, including Gaetz, to be confirmed via recess appointment.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump’s, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Trump, ”, JD Vance, Gaetz, Matt, ’, Mike Johnson, John Clune, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham, Johnson, “, John Cornyn, Sen, Kevin Cramer, Michael Guest, ” Cramer, Gaetz —, Democratic Sen, Richard Blumenthal, we’re, Tom Williams, Vance, Cramer Organizations: Republicans, Department of Justice, NBC, Trump, Justice Department, NBC News, Trump —, Capitol, House, ”, Democratic, …, Washington , D.C, Inc, Getty, Pennsylvania’s Senate, GOP, Truth Social Locations: America, Texas, Orlando, Washington ,, Pennsylvania’s

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

☆ How Democrats can still flex power in Trump's Washington: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

In today’s edition, senior national political reporter Sahil Kapur examines the way Democrats can still exert some power in Donald Trump's Washington. How Democrats can still flex power in Trump’s WashingtonBy Sahil KapurRepublicans have won full control of Washington, but Democrats will retain two key levers of power to shape legislative outcomes in Donald Trump’s second term. That margin is slimming further as Trump plucks House members for administration jobs. The last two years showed how chaotic and dysfunctional this GOP-controlled House can be, even when the stakes are low. The Ethics Committee has jurisdiction over only sitting House members.

Persons: Sahil Kapur, Donald, Donald Trump's Washington, Matt Gaetz's, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump’s, Robert Garcia, “, Sen, John Thune, ”, Chris Van Hollen, Van Hollen, Patty Murray, Richard Hudson, Trump, Donald Trump, it’s, it’ll, Tony Gonzales, Matt Gaetz, Ryan Nobles, Julie Tsirkin, Frank Thorp V, Kate Santaliz, Gaetz, Justice Department —, they’ll, Joni Ernst, John Curtis, → Trump, Berkeley Lovelace Jr, Dasha Burns Trump, Kennedy, Bill Cassidy, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy’s, 🗞️, Tim, lea Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Republicans, Health, Human Services Department, Sahil Kapur Republicans, Trump plucks, ”, Republican, Senate, GOP, House Republican, Justice Department, NBC News, Committee, Punchbowl News, RFK, Human Services, Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Education, Labor, Pensions, “ RFK, Trump, Elon, of Government, Cabinet Locations: Donald Trump's, Trump’s Washington, Washington, “, Texas, Florida, Congress, Iowa, Utah, Elon, usk

WASHINGTON — Republican senators are preparing for a robust vetting of Matt Gaetz, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department, with a keen interest in details from a House Ethics Committee investigation into the former congressman from Florida. The Ethics Committee has jurisdiction only over sitting House members. Many Republican senators, including members of the GOP-led Judiciary Committee that will oversee Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general, said they'll want to see the details of the House Ethics investigation into Gaetz. But Gaetz's resignation complicates things, and the House committee hasn't indicated what it will do. Asked directly if he'd vote to confirm Gaetz, Cramer said the Florida congressman would have to make it through the Judiciary Committee first.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's, Gaetz, Justice Department —, Trump, they'll, Sen, Joni Ernst, John Curtis, “, hasn't, Bill Boner, Buz Lukens, John Cornyn of, he'd, ”, Cornyn, it’s, ” Cornyn, ” Sen, Lindsey Graham, ” Graham, Trump hadn’t, Matt, Chuck Grassley, we’ve, ” Grassley, , Grassley, Susan Collins, Collins, Kevin McCarthy, Lisa Murkowski, Gaetz's, Ernst, He’s, JD Vance, Kevin Cramer, we’re, —, Cramer, McCarthy, I’ll, he’s, Mike Braun, I’m Organizations: Justice Department, NBC News, Republican, GOP, Committee, Punchbowl News, Judiciary, “, Department, NBC, Republicans, —, Trump Locations: Florida, Congress, Iowa, Utah, Ohio, John Cornyn of Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, Alaska

Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesTop Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee are being careful to keep their options open regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s selection for attorney general, former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz. Asked if the Senate should receive the House Ethic Committee report on Gaetz, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, of South Dakota, said: “I haven’t given that any thought yet. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis were less insistent on seeing the House committee’s report. Elections have consequences; (Trump) chose Matt Gaetz. Latest from the Ethics Committee: Asked about the pending report on Gaetz, House Ethics Chairman Michael Guest said Thursday, “What happens in Ethics is confidential.

Persons: Sen, John Cornyn, Chambers, Anna Moneymaker, Donald Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, John Thune, ”, ” Texas Sen, Carolina Sen, Lindsey Graham, North Carolina Sen, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Graham, “, Missouri Sen, Josh Hawley, ” Graham, Trump, Matt, ” Tillis, Hawley, there’ll, ” Hawley, Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, we’ll, Indiana Sen, Mike Braun, he’s, Gaetz, Michael Guest, ” Gaetz Organizations: Capitol, Committee, GOP, Gaetz, North, Alabama Locations: Washington , DC, South Dakota, ” Texas, Carolina, North Carolina, Missouri

“President Trump is going to hit the Justice Department with a blowtorch, and Matt Gaetz is that torch,” Steve Bannon, Trump’s former White House strategist, told NBC News. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she didn't think Gaetz was "a serious nomination for the attorney general." From bitter experience, Trump knows that he needs an attorney general he can trust implicitly, and it might be worth the political capital to battle for Gaetz's confirmation. Little happened in Trump’s first term that angered him as much as Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision to recuse himself and appoint a special counsel to investigate whether there were links between his 2016 campaign and Russia. In Gaetz, Trump would get an attorney general who has said Trump won the election that year, as well as an iconoclast who shares his willingness to upset the status quo.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Matt Gaetz, Steve Bannon, Trump’s, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Tom Homan, Kristi Noem, Mount Rushmore, James Mattis, Mattis, John Kelly, Kelly, who'd, Hegseth, Donald J, ”, Max Stier, Gaetz, Kamala Harris, Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Kevin Cramer, Jeff Sessions, I’m, ” Trump, Robert Mueller, William Barr Organizations: WASHINGTON, Justice Department, Defense, Justice, White, Department, White House, NBC News, Fox News, Democrat, Trump, South Dakota Gov, National Guard, Partnership for Public Service, Senate, Republicans, FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ, NBC, Washington Locations: Afghanistan, Iraq, Alaska, Russia

☆ 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

☆ Gaetz faces rocky road to confirmation as pressure builds for release of House ethics probe
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-14 | by ( Manu Raju | Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he “absolutely” wants to see the House Ethics Committee’s findings on Gaetz. “I think there should not be any limitations on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation, including whatever the House Ethics Committee has generated,” he said. Trump has pushed to keep all options on the table to greenlight his nominees, including recess appointments, which would bypass the typical Senate confirmation process. However, Sen. Rick Scott told CNN, “I believe in recess appointments.” Scott had supported recess appointments during his bid for GOP leader, which he lost to Thune. The Supreme Court has ruled on questions about recess appointments, which makes the outcome of taking these questions to court uncertain.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Matt Gaetz, Sen, John Cornyn, “, ”, Gaetz, John Thune, James Lankford, ” Cornyn, Cornyn, Rick Scott, ” Scott, Scott, Trump’s, Dick Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Coons, Durbin, Donald Trump, ” Blumenthal, “ Matt Gaetz, ” Coons, he’s, Thune, Leah Millis, Reuters Sen, Chuck Grassley, “ We’ve, ” Grassley, Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis, Tillis, Graham, ” Sen, Josh Hawley, ” Graham, Matt, ” Tillis, Samuel Corum, it’s, ’, Thune couldn’t, CNN’s Danya Gainor, Sarah Ferris, Annie Grayer, Ted Barrett, Morgan Rimmer, Emma Newman Organizations: CNN, Top, Republicans, GOP, Trump, Florida Republican, Democratic, Democrats, Republican U.S, U.S, 119th, Capitol, Reuters, Democrat, Senate Locations: Florida, Washington , U.S, Sens, Washington , DC

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump stunned Senate Republicans by announcing Wednesday that he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to be attorney general. Some Senate Republicans said the process won’t be smooth sailing. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said it will be “a significant challenge” for Gaetz to win enough votes to be confirmed. I can’t even believe it.”Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Judiciary Committee, said Gaetz lacks basic qualifications for the job. “We met with President Trump and said, ‘Please, no more House members after Matt Gaetz,’” Scalise said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Gaetz, “, That’s Lisa Murkowski’s, ” Murkowski, ” Sen, Joni Ernst, “ He’s, John Cornyn, ”, ” Cornyn, Cornyn, we’ll, Thom Tillis, Susan Collins, Collins, there’s, Kevin Cramer, Katie Britt, Ron Johnson, Pete Ricketts, didn’t, Trump’s, Chris Coons, Peter Welch, Joe Manchin, Richard Blumenthal, Conn, ” Blumenthal, John Fetterman, it’s, Mike Simpson, Simpson, Steve Scalise, he’s, President Trump, ” Scalise, Max Miller Organizations: WASHINGTON, Trump, Senate, Pennsylvania Senate, Republicans, Committee, House, ” Locations: Pennsylvania, Alaska, Iowa, Texas, Maine, Idaho, Ohio

☆ House GOP embroiled in escalating primary feuds with majority on line
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Manu Raju | Melanie Zanona | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

For more on House Republican primary infighting, watch “Inside Politics with Manu Raju” on Sunday at 8 a.m. Washington CNN —GOP Rep. Don Bacon has had it with the far-right of his conference. Now McCarthy allies in the House GOP Conference are considering giving a boost to Aaron Dimmock, the retired Navy officer facing off against Gaetz in the August 20 primary. And while the outcomes in most of these primary races won’t impact the GOP’s efforts to keep the majority, they will shape the makeup of the next House Republican Conference and how they pursue their agenda. Several of Gonzales' colleagues in the House are backing a GOP primary challenger in his race for reelection.

Persons: Manu Raju ”, Don Bacon, They’ve, Republicans —, Bob Good, “, Bob Good’s, ” Bacon, we’ve, Tony Gonzales, Matt Gaetz, Good —, Adam Morgan, William Timmons, Kevin McCarthy, John McGuire, McCarthy, Mike Johnson, Dan Newhouse, Donald Trump, MAGA, Scott Perry, Jerrod, Gaetz —, McCarthy —, Gaetz, Aaron Dimmock, Derrick Van Orden, tubby ”, Chip Roy, Samuel Corum, Trump, ”, Ralph Norman, Morgan, Timmons, Joe Biden, Sen, Tony Vargas, Bacon, Dan Frei —, Lee Terry, “ He’s, ” Frei, Frei, Eric Underwood, Underwood, Bacon doesn’t, ” Underwood, he’s, Frei mailer, it’s, Gonzales, Tom Williams, Sarah Chamberlain, McGuire, Good’s, Steve Bannon, I’ve, ” Johnson, that’s, undercutting, CNN’s Jeff Zeleny, Sheden Tesfaldet Organizations: Republican, Washington CNN, GOP, Republicans, Nebraska Republican, CNN, Congress, Caucus, Rep, Good, Washington, Trump, Freedom Caucus, House GOP Conference, Navy, Gaetz, ”, Wisconsin Republican, Capitol, Getty, House Republican Conference, Democratic, Nebraska Republican Party, Nebraska Republicans, “, mailer, Republican Main Street Partnership, Nebraska GOP Locations: Nebraska, Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Washington, Ukraine

☆ Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend subpoenaed by House Ethics Committee and is expected to plead the Fifth later this month
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Paula Reid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has subpoenaed his ex-girlfriend who was a key witness in the federal investigation into the Florida lawmaker, according to her lawyer Tim Jansen. A spokesperson for the House Ethics Committee declined to comment on the matter. The ex-girlfriend was granted immunity in the federal criminal probe and testified before a grand jury in January 2022. That federal probe concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including ever having sex with a minor or paying for sex.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Tim Jansen, Jansen, Gaetz Organizations: CNN, Capitol Hill, ABC News Locations: Florida

A lawyer for the chief witness against Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, said on Friday that the witness was cooperating with a House Ethics Committee investigation into whether Mr. Gaetz had sex with an underage girl while he was serving in Congress. Fritz Scheller, a lawyer for Mr. Gaetz’s former friend and political ally Joel Greenberg, said he provided documents to the committee that he said backed up his client’s claims that he witnessed Mr. Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl. Greenberg has and will cooperate with any congressional request,” Mr. Scheller said in an email on Friday. Mr. Greenberg, who pleaded guilty in May 2021 to charges including sex trafficking, is serving an 11-year prison sentence. He had previously cooperated with a Justice Department investigation into whether Mr. Gaetz had engaged in sex trafficking of a minor, a federal offense that carries a minimum of 10 years in prison.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Fritz Scheller, Gaetz’s, Joel Greenberg, “ Mr, Greenberg, ” Mr, Scheller, Mr Organizations: Republican, Justice Department Locations: Florida

☆ House Ethics Committee reached out to Rep. Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend amid ongoing investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Paula Reid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to an ex-girlfriend who was a key witness in the federal investigation into the Florida lawmaker, according to a source familiar with the ethics probe. Gaetz said in a statement to CNN that the Ethics Committee investigation is “payback” for Gaetz’s efforts to oust Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker of the house, and that he sees “through this sham and the American people will too.” The Ethics Committee declined to comment. That federal probe concluded in 2023 with no charges brought against the congressman. She is not expected to voluntarily cooperate with the Ethics probe. But McCarthy has repeatedly denounced those accusations and has said Gaetz worked to oust the former speaker because of the ethics probe.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, ” McCarthy, “, ”, Annie Grayer Organizations: GOP, Florida Republican, CNN, Capitol Hill, Justice Department Locations: Florida, California

☆ 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

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

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters as he walks to the House Chambers in the Capitol on October 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesFormer Speaker Kevin McCarthy argued interim Speaker Patrick McHenry already has the powers that some in the anti-Jim Jordan crowd want him to have. “I think you shouldn't have to do a resolution, that McHenry can carry this on as we elect Jim Jordan our speaker,” he said. “We're going in, we want to elect Jim Jordan, and if Jim's numbers drop, it's a lot of that is due to Gaetz’s email that he put out last night,” said McCarthy. Going after Republicans that would work with anything with Democrats when he did all this to us?

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Joe Raedle, Patrick McHenry, Jim Jordan, McHenry, ”, “, ” McCarthy, CNN’s Manu Raju, Matt Gaetz, Jordan’s, Gaetz, McCarthy, “ We're, Jim, Jordan Organizations: House, Capitol Locations: Washington , DC

Much of the furor is directed at Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, the ringleader of the McCarthy rebellion. “I think it’s very sad that this is obviously politically personally motivated,” Murphy said of Gaetz’s push to oust McCarthy. “I don’t think Markwayne Mullin and I have said 20 words to each other on the House floor. Republicans in the group will huddle as a unit next week to decide their next steps, the lawmaker said. “I have no advice to give to House Republicans except one – I hope whoever the next speaker is gets rid of the motion to vacate,” McConnell said.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, Nancy Mace, McCarthy, Mace, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Kelly Armstrong, “, ” Armstrong, ”, Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Garret Graves, Mark Schiefelbein, ’ Gaetz, Mike Lawler, Greg Murphy, ” Murphy, Dave Joyce of Ohio, ” Joyce, Graves, Max Miller, hasn’t, Austin Scott, Sen, Markwayne Mullin –, McCarthy –, Markwayne Mullin, Kevin, ” Gaetz, Brian Fitzpatrick, bipartisanship, Hakeem Jeffries, Mitch McConnell, ” McConnell Organizations: CNN, GOP, Republican, Republican Governance Group, Capitol, Florida Rep, Democratic, North Dakota Republican, ‘, House GOP Conference, ” Ohio Republican, Georgia Rep, Oklahoma Republican, Republicans, Democrats, Group, House Republicans Locations: South Carolina, Washington, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina

The House vote to oust Kevin McCarthy from his post on Tuesday marked a historic first, as a group of conservatives sided with Democrats to successfully boot him from the speakership. Immediately following the vote to oust McCarthy, a temporary speaker – Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina – took over based upon a list of succession that the former speaker submitted in January. In his first move in the temporary role, McHenry recessed the chamber to “discuss the path forward,” before lawmakers returned to their districts for the week. Following the vote, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was ordered to vacate her Capitol hideaway. Pelosi called the move a “sharp departure from tradition,” as other former speakers have been permitted to retain offices near the House chamber beyond their tenure.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Patrick McHenry of, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina –, ”, McHenry, –, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan of, Kevin Hern, Tom Emmer, Donald Trump, he’s, Matt Gaetz’s, Mitch McConnell, McCarthy –, “, ” McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Pelosi Organizations: White, Republican, GOP, Republicans, House Democrats, Capitol hideaway Locations: Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, McHenry, Louisiana, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Florida

☆ Analysis: How America's broken information environment birthed the chaos wrought by Matt Gaetz
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Matt Gaetz is a product of America’s broken information environment. But as the media landscape has dramatically shifted, particularly in the right-wing information space, so have the power dynamics in Washington. The gravity actually rests in the hands of high-profile media personalities — many of whom are not incentivized by unity and compromise, but feed off conflict and division. And these media personalities have birthed and empowered people like Gaetz. The right-wing media machine — comprised of Fox News, talk radio, social media personalities, and a constellation of blusterous websites — have made stars out of attention-hungry politicians.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan, Donald Trump, McCarthy, don’t Organizations: CNN, Republicans, Republican Party, GOP, Fox News Locations: Florida, Washington, Washington .

The House narrowly voted to oust Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday, dooming the House speaker to a fate that seemed almost guaranteed since he took the gavel in January, with a group of rebels in his conference nipping at his heels. “The office of speaker of the House of the United States House of Representatives is hereby declared vacant,” the clerk announced as the vote concluded. A temporary speaker – Rep. Patrick McHenry of North Carolina – is expected to take over based upon a list of succession that McCarthy submitted in January, according to House rules . But in 2015, McCarthy’s speaker bid abruptly ended amid pushback from right-wing lawmakers who have long seen him as insufficiently conservative. I’m the 55th speaker of the House.”Without McCarthy at the helm, the House is expected to soon vote to elect another speaker.

Persons: Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, Patrick McHenry of, Patrick McHenry of North Carolina –, McHenry, ”, McCarthy’s speakership, Washington ”, “, Andy Biggs, Ken Buck, Tom Burchett, Eli Crane, Matt Gaetz, Bob Good, Nancy Mace, Matt Rosendale, Gaetz, motioned, it’s, ” Gaetz, ” McCarthy, ” McCarthy’s, McCarthy’s, Hakeem Jeffries Organizations: United States House, Democrats, Washington, Bakersfield, Republicans – Rep, GOP, Republican, California Republican, Florida Republican, Democratic, House Republican Locations: Patrick McHenry of North Carolina, California, –

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