Matt Gaetz faces GOP Senate opposition after Trump selection for attorney general
President-Elect Donald Trump’s latest selection for his next administration is facing immediate backlash from some within the Senate GOP, as they say his attorney general pick Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., will not get confirmed. “He will never get confirmed,” a Republican senator, granted anonymity to speak freely, told Fox News Digital. One Senate Republican source simply said, “Ain’t gonna happen,” about the prospect of Gaetz’s confirmation. THUNE WINS SECRET BALLOT TO BECOME NEW SENATE GOP LEADER, SUCCEEDING MCCONNELL Gaetz’s office referred Fox News Digital to his response on X, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” and did not comment on the GOP criticism about his potential confirmation. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters, “I think we have to consider any nominee by the president seriously, but we also have a constitutional responsibility.” He was prompted about whether the House Ethics investigation currently being conducted into Gaetz would factor in to his confirmation, to which the senator replied: “That might come up.” The allegations being probed by the committee include sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts. RICK SCOTT KNOCKED OUT OF SENATE LEADER RACE ON FIRST BALLOT AS THUNE AND CORNYN ADVANCE Responding to the announcement of Gaetz’s selection for attorney general, Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., who chairs the Ethics Committee said “once a member is no longer a member of Congress, then ethics has no jurisdiction. So if Matt Gaetz were to be appointed as the Attorney General, the ethics investigation [which] is currently ongoing would cease at that point.” However, Senate Republicans were not explicitly supportive. “He’s under investigation by the House Committee on Ethics,” Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, acknowledged. “Obviously, the president has the right to nominate whomever he wishes, but this is why the background checks that are done by the FBI and the advice and consent process in the Senate, and public hearings are also important.” “He will go through the nomination process just like everyone else,” said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., told reporters, “I got nothing for you on that,” when asked about Trump’s choice. TED CRUZ GETS BEHIND RICK SCOTT FOR LEADER, IN BLOW TO FELLOW TEXAN JOHN CORNYN “I think what we can tell you right now is that we always allow the President to have the benefit of the doubt, but we still have to do our role in terms of due diligence,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., when asked if he would vote to confirm Gaetz. In addition to the ethics investigation, Gaetz was at one point being investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a years-long probe into sex trafficking allegations. But last year, Gaetz’s office said the DOJ ended their investigation and determined he would not be charged with any crimes. While Republicans could very well be poised not to confirm Gaetz, who has proven controversial among his own party, Trump could look to appoint him through a recess appointment. The president-elect made an appeal to Senate Republican leader candidates earlier this week, telling them they must agree to allow him to make such appointments. REPUBLICANS TO HUDDLE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO ELECT MCCONNELL’S SUCCESSOR WEDNESDAY Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who won the leader election Wednesday morning, signaled being open to this in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. However, he didn’t commit to it. “We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible to start delivering on the mandate we’ve been sent to execute, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments,” he said. If Trump were successful in appointing a cabinet member through a recess appointment, they would be able to serve in the role for nearly two years, according to the Congressional Research Service. The appointment would expire once the next session of Congress, following the recess, adjourns. “Recess appointments expire at the end of the next session of the Senate,” according to a recent CRS report. “As a result, a recess appointment may last for less than a year or nearly two years, depending on when the appointment is made.”
McClain elected to replace Stefanik in House GOP leadership
House Republicans have chosen a fellow member to replace GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., in their party’s leadership ranks. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., was elected House GOP Conference Chair on Wednesday evening, the No. 4 leadership position for Republicans in the chamber. She was the favorite to win the internal race against Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. McClain is already a lower-level member of leadership, serving as House Republicans’ conference secretary in the 118th Congress. Cammack’s bid was bolstered by an endorsement from ally Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and groups like the Log Cabin Republicans and the national Young Republicans organization. Meanwhile, McClain had support from a wide range of the Republican Conference, from House Freedom Caucus members to rank-and-file national security hawks. Stefanik was originally intending to run for the job again before accepting President-elect Trump’s nomination to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations. The conference chair is in charge of overseeing and executing messaging strategy within the House GOP. It comes as the House GOP unanimously backed Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., for his job again, two sources in the room told Fox News Digital. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., were also elected unanimously to return to their roles, sources said.
Democratic politician repeatedly insults officer’s manhood during DUI arrest
A Democratic elected official was arrested in Chicago after allegedly causing a three-car pileup and making inappropriate comments about the arresting officer’s penis. The Chicago Sun Times first reported the incident. According to the outlet, the elected official, Samantha Steele, 45, was arrested around 8:50 p.m. on Sunday after crashing into another vehicle and causing a three-car pileup in north Chicago. During the arrest, Steele repeatedly asked the arresting officer, “Is your penis that small?” Steele serves as the commissioner for the second district of the Cook County Board of Review, which oversees property tax assessments in and around the city of Chicago. DEMOCRATS ACCUSED OF ‘INTENTIONALLY’ SUBVERTING THE WILL OF VOTERS WITH ‘11TH-HOUR SABOTAGE’ OF TRUMP AGENDA The Chicago Sun Times reported that Chicago Police arriving on the scene observed “extensive” damage to the involved vehicles and found Steele lying on the sidewalk. One officer wrote in the report, “I observed her eyes were bloodshot and glassy” and “I also detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her breath as she spoke.” The police report said that officers immediately detected a strong alcohol scent and noticed an open bottle of red wine on the passenger side floor of Steele’s car. After officers asked Steele how much she had to drink, she replied, “I want my lawyer, and I’m not talking to you.” She refused to perform a field sobriety test and was arrested and handcuffed. Rather than calling her attorney, the Chicago Sun Times reported that Steele called a member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Scott Britton, who has since referred her to a criminal attorney. Steele is being charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence. Her court date is set for Dec. 27. Steele was elected as a Cook County Board of Review commissioner in 2022 and is serving a four-year term until 2026. Steele and the Cook County Board of Review did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
North Carolina to override Dem veto calling for cooperation with ICE while Trump calls for agency reform
GOP North Carolina legislators are poised to overrule outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s block on legislation mandating local law enforcement agencies cooperate with ICE, but Democrats narrowly ended the GOP’s veto-proofing supermajority for next session. The news comes as President-elect Trump’s pick for “border czar,” former ICE Director Thomas Homan. has signaled agreement with mass deportation and other stringent enforcement operations. Legislation that would require state-federal cooperation has languished for five years, and the GOP’s ability to continue its pattern of overriding the executive branch may soon end. Raleigh Republicans appear to have lost their three-fifths grip by one seat after last week’s election but retained it in the Senate. The governorship will remain in Democratic hands with current Attorney General Joshua Stein succeeding Cooper. COOPER, STATE DEM LEADERS RALLY BEHIND BIDEN AFTER LACKLUSTER DEBATE A top Republican in the state House who is favored to succeed U.S. Rep-elect Timothy Moore as speaker, said the veto override will be taken up Tuesday. State Rep. Destin Hall, R-Lenoir, previously said some criticism of the bill was “factually incorrect,” adding it only applies to people who committed “serious felonies … or violent misdemeanors” and that it will not prompt law enforcement to actively seek out illegal immigrants. EX-ICE CHIEF SCOFFS AT HOCHUL’S SUDDEN OUTRAGE AT VIOLENT MIGRANTS: ‘POLITICAL COVER’ The bill includes both the ICE provision and additional funds for school vouchers. In his September veto statement, Cooper only referenced the school choice provision. However, after he vetoed duplicate legislation in the 2022 session, Cooper said the policy is “only about scoring political points and using fear to divide North Carolinians.” “As the state’s former top law enforcement officer, I know that current law already allows the state to incarcerate and prosecute dangerous criminals regardless of immigration status,” Cooper said, calling the bill unconstitutional and a misuse of local resources. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., responded by saying Cooper effectively declared North Carolina a sanctuary state. Fox News Digital reached out to Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Reidsville, for further comment on the plan. A call to Cooper’s office was not returned. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The North Carolina branch of the ACLU also slammed the bill, saying it “circumvents the local authority of sheriffs by requiring them to cooperate with ICE and assist in the federal government’s deportation pipeline. “HB10 will not make our communities safer,” the group said in a statement. Berger previously said other work in the upcoming legislative session “beyond the override… has not been determined,” according to The Raleigh News-Observer. During the last Trump administration, some law enforcement in the Tar Heel State bucked Trump’s overtures, and Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden ended the Charlotte-area jurisdiction’s “287(g)” agreement with ICE, according to The Charlotte Observer. Additionally, sheriffs in Wilson, Asheville, Durham and Hillsborough publicly objected to the bill when it was first proposed. A statement from the consortium of lawmen obtained by WNCN said it was concerned it “will jeopardize their ability to fulfill their local duties and set a dangerous precedent for overstepping local authority.” Homan told Fox News Monday that if places like New York City won’t offer assistance, he’ll double the number of federal agents there. “We’re going to do the job with you or without you,” he said. Republicans will retain their supermajority for the brief, four-day session next week. When they return in 2025, one Democrat would have to cross the aisle to kill any Stein veto.
Biden imposes a new methane emissions tax as he prepares to leave the White House
President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency finalized a new rule Tuesday, taxing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector. The new tax was born out of Biden’s sweeping climate legislation passed by Congress, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a Waste Emissions Charge provision. Although the waste emissions charge was mandated by Congress, the Biden administration had discretion on how tightly to clamp down. The fee will start at $900 per metric ton of methane emitted over a specific performance level during 2024. In subsequent years, the fee will increase. In 2025, it will grow to $1,200 per metric ton. In 2026, it will increase to $1,500 per ton. Meanwhile, each subsequent year after that, the fee will continue to rise, according to the EPA. BIDEN ADMIN SAYS CLIMATE CHANGE POSES NATIONAL SECURITY RISKS, SENDS DELEGATION TO ADDRESS THEM “The final Waste Emissions Charge is the latest in a series of actions under President Biden’s methane strategy to improve efficiency in the oil and gas sector, support American jobs, protect clean air, and reinforce U.S. leadership on the global stage,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a press release. Prior to Tuesday’s new methane emissions rule, Biden and his administration imposed other rules aimed at clamping down on methane. Shortly after taking office in 2021, he signed a law repealing a Trump-era action that rescinded stricter methane-emissions standards imposed under then-President Barack Obama. While climate change advocates, such as the Clean Air Task Force, have praised Biden’s rule regulating methane emissions, Steve Milloy, a fellow at the Energy and Environmental Legal Institute, described the action as “irrelevant.” Milloy said that because upwards of 95% or more of the greenhouse gasses trapped by the earth’s atmosphere are water vapor and carbon dioxide, little to no room remains for methane to be stored. VOTERS DECIDE ON CLIMATE MEASURES, REJECT INITIATIVE TO TAX NATURAL GAS POWERED BUILDINGS IN CALIFORNIA CITY Milloy also suggested the new methane emissions rule will likely be ineffective, considering it targets the oil and gas sector but not the agricultural sector as well. “The largest source of methane is actually microbes,” Milloy pointed out — as opposed to man-made power plants. Microbes are tiny organisms that live in cow’s stomachs, agricultural fields and wetlands, according to The Washington Post. In addition to the effectiveness, Milloy pointed out that the tax will also be to the benefit of Big Oil companies, while hurting smaller ones. “It’s because all these regulations cripple the competition,” Milloy said. “Taxing the oil industry, you know, Big Oil is going to be all for that.” North Carolina Republican Rep. Greg Murphy, who was endorsed by Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions during his bid for re-election this year, echoed that going after the oil and gas industry with this latest tax will serve to “raise costs and prevent investment.” “Thankfully, this insanity will end in January,” Murphy said. President-elect Donald Trump has suggested he would repeal many of the green energy initiatives implanted within Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. TRUMP TO INSTALL ‘ENERGY CZAR’ TO DISMANTLE BIDEN CLIMATE RULES: REPORT This week, the new president-elect nominated former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to be his next EPA chief. Meanwhile, Republican Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has been floated as a possibility for Trump’s next Energy Secretary, among others. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and EPA for comment but did not receive an on-the-record response. But the White House did point to a fact sheet it released Tuesday, on how the Biden-Harris administration has “leverage[d] historic U.S. climate leadership at home and abroad.”
Mike Johnson wins Republican support to be House speaker again after Trump endorsement
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was selected to lead the GOP conference again during a closed-door vote on Wednesday. It comes after President-elect Donald Trump addressed House Republicans earlier in the day and said he was “100%” behind Johnson, multiple sources in the room told Fox News Digital. Several hard-line GOP members are still holding out their support, however, over his handling of government spending and foreign aid in the current Congress. JOHNSON BLASTS DEM ACCUSATIONS HE VOWED TO END OBAMACARE AS ‘DISHONEST’ It’s been a meteoric rise for the Louisiana Republican, who was a relatively little-known lawmaker when he was elected to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after he was ousted by all House Democrats and eight fellow Republicans. Johnson has endured much of the same chaos as McCarthy while presiding over a razor-thin House majority, with GOP rebels weaponizing the small margin in efforts to force the conference to pass more conservative policy. SHUTDOWN STANDOFF LOOMS IN CONGRESS’ FINAL WEEKS BEFORE TRUMP’S RETURN TO WHITE HOUSE But Johnson did not face any significant challengers on Wednesday, nor was he expected to with House Republicans on track to hold onto the chamber majority in the 119th Congress. It could be a different story in January, when he will need a majority of the entire House chamber to be elected speaker. McCarthy infamously had to endure 15 rounds of House votes and was forced to make concessions to a small group of holdouts in exchange for their support. HOUSE LEADERS MOVE QUICKLY TO CONSOLIDATE POWER IN SHOW OF CONFIDENCE FOR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP With Johnson projected to win just a slim single-digit majority again, he can afford little opposition – or risk paralyzing the House under a new Trump administration. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., ran uncontested for their current roles and are expected to win.
‘First buddy’: Elon earns family status in Trump world as Musk expands political footprint
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— Tech billionaire Elon Musk earned “uncle” status in the Trump family, as he increasingly spends time at Mar-a-Lago and traveled with President-elect Donald Trump following his massive win last week. “Elon achieving uncle status,” Kai Trump, the president-elect’s granddaughter, posted to X over the weekend, accompanied by a photo of the pair, along with Musk’s young son, on the golf course. Musk officially endorsed Trump over the summer, when the 45th and soon-to-be 47th president survived the first assassination attempt on his life this election cycle, and proceeded to join the campaign trail, most notably in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania. Trump sailed to victory last week, after securing electoral votes from Pennsylvania and other battleground states, such as Georgia. All in, Trump earned 312 electoral votes, sweeping all seven of the battleground states when votes were tallied. TRUMP PICKING CABINET AT BREAKNECK SPEED COMPARED TO 2016 Musk has been at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s resort and residence in Palm Beach, since last week for the election, where he was spotted dining with Donald and Melania Trump and has taken on the title “first buddy” due to his tight relationship with the former and upcoming president. Musk traveled with Trump on Wednesday morning from Florida to Washington, D.C., where the president-elect met with House Republicans before meeting President Biden at the White House. “I look forward… to having a smooth transition. We’ll do everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated, what you need,” Biden said during his meeting with Trump when reporters were briefly allowed in the Oval Office. Trump added, “politics is tough and in many cases it’s not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today.” “I appreciate very much the transition that’s so smooth. It will be as smooth as it can get, and I very much appreciate that,” he continued. The meeting between Trump and Biden lasted about two hours, with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and incoming Chief of Staff Susie Wiles attending the meeting. ELON MUSK, VIVEK RAMASWAMY TO LEAD TRUMP’S DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY Musk joined a separate closed-door meeting with House GOPers, with a source telling Fox News that Trump praised Musk during his roughly 40-minute address. He noted Musk has been doing well since joining the Trump orbit at Mar-a-Lago, even reportedly joking he “can’t get rid of him.” On Tuesday evening, Trump announced that Musk and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new task force called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which will work to “dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies,” Trump said in a statement on the announcements. The SpaceX CEO had made cutting government fat and red tape a hallmark of his campaigning for the Trump-Vance ticket, noting while speaking to Trump supporters in Pennsylvania that he has personally dealt with a “bunch of nutty stories” related to government overregulation, including how SpaceX had to study the probability of its Starship rocket hitting a whale or shark. LOYALTY MATTERS: TRUMP PICKS ALLIES AND SUPPORTERS TO FILL OUT HIS ADMINISTRATION “SpaceX had to do this study to see if Starship would hit a shark. And I’m like… it’s a big ocean. There are a lot of sharks. It’s not impossible, but it’s very unlikely. So we said, ‘Fine, we’ll do the analysis. Can you give us the shark data?’” Musk recounted during a Pennsylvania rally last month. He said the National Marine Fisheries Service ordered SpaceX to carry out the study. “They were like, ‘No, we can’t give you the shark data.’ Well, then, OK, we’re in a bit of a quandary. How do we solve this shark probability issue? They said, ‘Well, we could give it to our western division, but we don’t trust them.’ I’m like, ‘Am I in a comedy sketch here?’” Musk continued. ELON MUSK SLAMS ‘UNFUNNY’ SNL SKITS AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF MAKING COMEDIAN CRY “Eventually, we got the data and could run the analysis to say, ‘Yeah, the sharks are going to be fine.’ But they wouldn’t let us proceed with the launch until we did this crazy shark analysis,” he added of the anecdote. After Trump announced Musk and Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk said DOGE will publicly release any actions made and will listen to the public on how to best cut government spending. “All actions of the Department of Government Efficiency will be posted online for maximum transparency. Anytime the public thinks we are cutting something important or not cutting something wasteful, just let us know! We will also have a leaderboard for most insanely dumb spending of your tax dollars. This will be both extremely tragic and extremely entertaining,” Musk posted to X later on Tuesday. Fox News’ Kelly Phares contributed to this report.
Republican Ken Calvert wins re-election to US House in California’s 41st Congressional District
Incumbent Republican Rep. Ken Calvert won re-election to California’s 41st Congressional District – which was deemed a tossup by observers – against Democratic challenger Will Rollins. The current balance of power in the House of Representatives with Calvert’s win is 217 to 207, with the GOP now one call away from the 218 majority. Eleven races are yet to be called. GOP REP. CALVERT WINS ELECTION IN COMPETITIVE CALIFORNIA HOUSE SEAT This is the second attempt by Rollins – a former federal prosecutor – to unseat Calvert after a narrow loss in 2022. Ross – who is openly gay – has tried to position himself as a moderate candidate who can bring Republicans, independents and Democrats together. He has also championed some progressive causes, like climate change action and LGBTQ rights. The district underwent big changes in 2021 through the redistricting process, which added more liberal-leaning areas such as parts of Palm Springs and its surrounding communities. Consequently, the redrawn map made this historically red district a battleground. Calvert, first elected to Congress in 1992 to represent the Inland Empire, is a seasoned conservative who has long held sway in this district, which covers parts of Riverside County, including red towns like Corona and Temecula. Calvert has built his political tenure on strong national security and pro-business stances.
Fox News Politics: Setting the Stage for a New Administration
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Thune wins secret ballot to become new Senate GOP leader, succeeding McConnell -Trump thanks Biden for ‘smooth transition’ during White House meeting -Trump names Stephen Miller, Dan Scavino to senior White House staff Since winning the election last week, President-elect Donald Trump has begun evaluating and rolling out his picks for his Cabinet and other top roles. Here’s a roundup of whom Trump has picked to fill top jobs in his administration…Read more IN THE RED: Top Democrat officials worried tens of millions in Harris campaign debt could be their problem…Read more REINFORCEMENTS: Trump inauguration: DC police chief expecting ‘4,000 police officers to assist us’…Read more ‘SECOND AMENDMENT WON’: Trump’s victory over Harris proves ‘Second Amendment won,’ gun rights groups say…Read more QUITTING TIME: Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to resign, file report before Trump can fire him: report…Read more ‘CHILD MUTILATION’: Trump HHS could reverse Biden-Harris policies on gender treatments for minors…Read more ‘DEVESTATING IMPACTS’: Biden admin says climate change poses national security risks, sends delegation to address them…Read more NUCLEAR CAPACITY: Biden admin sets new target to triple US nuclear capacity from 2020 levels…Read more NOT ISOLATIONISTS: Trump’s first Cabinet picks decidedly not isolationists: Ukraine, Israel breathe a sigh of relief…Read more SHORT LIST: Trump considers New York Rep Brandon Williams for possible Labor Secretary nomination…Read more ‘YOU GUYS ARE STUCK WITH ME’: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders to remain in office, will not join Trump administration…Read more ‘REALLY EFFICIENT’: Elizabeth Warren gets sarcastic after Trump taps Musk, Ramaswamy for DOGE: ‘Yeah, this seems REALLY efficient’…Read more LONE STAR SPLIT: Ted Cruz gets behind Rick Scott for leader, in blow to fellow Texan John Cornyn…Read more CABAL COVERUP: Ex-Pentagon official says government ‘cabal’ is hiding ‘the fact that we are not alone’…Read more ‘KEEP OUR NATION SAFE’: Senators vow to ban pro-Hamas migrants from entering US with bipartisan push…Read more BALANCE OF POWER: Republicans 2 seats away from House majority, giving Trump leeway to implement agenda…Read more ‘IDLE SPECULATION’: Democratic committee chair pours cold water on replacing Sotomayor before Trump takes office…Read more TRUMP ADDRESSES REPUBLICANS: Trump predicts GOP could win NY, CA next election and muses about running again himself…Read more ‘THEY’RE DETERMINED’: More migrants likely to rush border despite reports of splintering caravan: experts…Read more ‘TITAN OF THE PROFESSION’: Former solicitor general Theodore Olson, conservative lawyer who argued Bush 2000 recount case, dead at 84…Read more ‘THREAT REMAINS GREAT’: Democratic governors form resistance group against Trump…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Trump taps Matt Gaetz for attorney general
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., as his pick for attorney general—an unexpected pick that took many, including fellow House Republicans, by surprise. If confirmed, Gaetz will head up the Justice Department after Trump is sworn in for his second term in January. Trump first announced his nomination in a post on Truth Social, saying Gaetz “has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.” Gaetz confirmed the nomination on the social media site X, adding, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” In his statement on Truth Social, Trump praised Gaetz for his experience on the House Judiciary Committee, where he said Gaetz “played a key role” in “defeating the Russia, Russia Hoax,” and exposing what Trump described as “alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization.” “He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law.” DEPARTMENT LOOKING TO WIND DOWN TRUMP CRIMINAL CASES AHEAD OF INAUGURATION Gaetz graduated from William & Mary College of Law and passed the Florida bar exam in 2008. News of his appointment was met with a certain level of shock from House lawmakers. Gaetz, a longtime Trump ally, had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which subpoenaed him as recently as September for an ongoing investigation into alleged sexual misconduct with a minor. Gaetz in response told the panel he would “no longer voluntarily participate” in their probe. “I explicitly reserve all of my rights pursuant to House Rules and the U.S. Constitution,” he wrote in the letter, which was shared on social media. It is unlikely that the investigation itself would block Gaetz’s path to confirmation in the Republican-majority Senate, though it could make it more difficult. Rep Michael Guest, R-Miss., who chairs the House Ethics Committee, told Fox News Digital that their investigation would cease as soon as Gaetz leaves the House. “Once a member is no longer a member of Congress, then Ethics has no jurisdiction,” he said. SPECIAL COUNSEL JACK SMITH PLANS TO RESIGN, FILE REPORT BEFORE TRUMP CAN FIRE HIM: REPORT Guest added: “Look, I have great trust in President Trump and those people that he will surround himself with and put his cap in it, so I’m sure that Trump and his transition team have taken into consideration all the good and bad surrounding every one of the candidates that they’re looking at appointing, and so I do not question President Trump’s appointment at all.” Early contenders for the post had included sitting U.S. senators, former Justice Department personnel and at least one top White House adviser from Trump’s first term. “He’s going to want someone who he knows, likes and trusts,” Former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told Fox News about the role last week. “He’s going to want someone who was there from the beginning.” This is a breaking news story. Check back soon for updates.