Vice President-elect JD Vance and Rep. Matt Gaetz arrived at the U.S. Senate on Wednesday in a bid to convince senators to confirm Gaetz as the nation’s top law enforcement officer. The pair, who have campaigned together before, met with Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will be the first stop for Gaetz once President Trump takes office.
Gaetz, a Florida congressman embroiled in allegations of drug use and sex with an underage girl, has denied the claims but faces significant scrutiny. Federal investigators found payments from Gaetz to women who claimed he hired them for sex, but no charges have been filed due to lack of evidence.
Vance and Gaetz asked senators to keep an open mind, allowing Gaetz to defend himself and share his plans for overseeing the U.S. Department of Justice. Many Republican senators expressed concern about Gaetz’s nomination, with some acknowledging that he deserved a fair hearing despite allegations.
Senate leaders, including Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley, pledged to handle the allegations “in committee” and give Gaetz the opportunity to answer questions. The Senate Judiciary Committee will review Gaetz’s nomination before making a final decision on his confirmation.
The meetings were seen as crucial in determining Gaetz’s fate, with Vance hosting similar sessions for other embattled nominees, including Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth, who faces allegations of sexual misconduct.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/20/us/politics/jd-vance-senators-gaetz-hegseth.html