Trump says he is not reconsidering Gaetz nomination for attorney-general
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
US President-elect Donald Trump had nominated former Congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney-general.
PHOTO: REUTERS
DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.
WASHINGTON - US President-elect Donald Trump said on Nov 19 that he was not reconsidering the nomination of former congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney-general.
Mr Gaetz, 42, who was investigated by the US Justice Department for nearly three years over sex trafficking allegations involving a 17-year-old girl, was tapped by Trump to run the agency when he returns to the White House in January.
Trump, asked if he was reconsidering the nomination, replied: “No.”
He was speaking in Texas after the launch of a rocket by Mr Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
Trump did not respond when asked how far he was willing to go to get Mr Gaetz confirmed.
The nomination generated some scepticism given that the former congressman, first elected in 2016, was under investigation by the House of Representatives’ Ethics Committee.
He resigned from Congress hours after he was nominated for attorney-general.
Some Republicans in the Senate, which has a constitutional duty to confirm or reject high-level appointments, have called the committee to turn over its findings on allegations of sexual misconduct involving a teenager and drug use by Mr Gaetz.
Republican House Speak Mike Johnson has said the committee should not release its report.
The committee is expected to discuss next steps on Nov 20. REUTERS
