Saturday, 23 November 2024

These Names Are Reportedly At The Top Of President Trump’s List To Replace Gaetz As AG Nominee

100 Percent Fed Up
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Amid relentless accusations and personal attacks from his political rivals on the other side of the aisle, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced this week that he will be withdrawing from consideration for the attorney general position in President Donald Trump’s second term.

That leaves Trump with the task of finding a replacement, but The Hill reported that a few candidates have already risen to the top of his list:

To find a replacement, sources close to Trump think someone who is loyal to the president-elect, much like Gaetz, could be named — but perhaps without so much baggage.

“It’s absolutely going to be a Trump loyalist,” said a person with knowledge of discussions, adding that a Trump ally like Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) could get the nod.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), who just won reelection in 2022, has also been floated as an option, as has Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Bondi is the chair of the Center for Litigation at the America First Policy Institute, a ring-wing think tank working with the Trump transition on the administration’s agenda. She is also a partner at Ballard Partners, which is the lobbying firm where Trump’s incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles worked.

Fellow Republicans would likely be supportive of a pick like Lee, who is well respected among his colleagues.

News of Gaetz’s withdrawal fueled considerable social media discussion:

NBC News also reported on Trump’s effort to nominate another candidate:

Trump did not immediately name another attorney general pick. His spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said he “remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system.”

Two Trump transition sources with direct knowledge of Gaetz’s decision told NBC News that Gaetz notified Trump about his decision Thursday morning. It was Gaetz’s decision to opt to withdraw.

One of the sources acknowledged that Gaetz’s confirmation was always going to be an uphill battle and said Trump is expected to meet “very soon” with a new round of attorney general contenders, with no particular person at the top of the list. It’s unclear what that means for Todd Blanche, whom Trump had tapped to be Gaetz’s deputy.

A third source close to Trump told NBC News that the transition team “welcomed” Gaetz’s withdrawal, adding that “the [House Ethics] report started to leak out and there was no way for Matt to make it.”

Here’s some additional coverage of the fallout surrounding Gaetz’s decision:

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport.

View the original article here.


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