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'I was shocked': Lawmakers react to Gaetz pick to be Trump's attorney general

Published

1 year ago

November 14, 2024

'I was shocked': Lawmakers react to Gaetz pick to be Trump's attorney general

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) questions Attorney General Merrick Garland during a hearing by the House Judiciary Committee, on June 4. President-elect Trump announced his intent to nominate Gaetz to head up the Department of Justice Wednesday.

Allison Bailey/AFP via Getty Images

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Allison Bailey/AFP via Getty Images

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill reacted to the news that President-elect Trump intends to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., to be attorney general with a mix of support, disbelief and silence Wednesday.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “shocked” to hear Gaetz was tapped to lead the Department of Justice.

“Obviously the president has the right to nominate whomever he wishes,” Collins said. “But this is why the Senate’s advise and consent process is so important.”

“I’m sure that there will be many, many questions raised at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing, if in fact the nomination goes forward,” she added.

The confusion deepened after House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told reporters that Gaetz had resigned his seat in Congress, effective immediately. It is uncommon for lawmakers to resign after being nominated, typically they wait to step down until after they are confirmed.

“I think out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter effective immediately,” Johnson said, adding that the early resignation would speed up the process of holding a special election to replace him.

If confirmed, Gaetz, 42, would take the helm of a department that as recently as last year was investigating him for possible sex trafficking offenses. Ultimately, prosecutors recommended against bringing charges against him after a long-running probe.

Gaetz also faced an House Ethics Committee investigation related to sex trafficking and drug allegations that ended when he resigned his position on Wednesday.

When asked about the GOP concerns about the nomination, incoming Senate GOP Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said “that’s probably a good question for the chairman of the Judiciary Committee.”

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is among those raising questions. She told reporters in the Capitol that she is concerned about the number of open investigations surrounding Gaetz.

“I’m surprised by this particular nomination and perhaps some of the others, which, again, were not names that most of us would have have thought to be out there,” Murkowski said. “But President Trump, if he is not one thing, He is his own person and and advancing his ideas.”

Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, did not indicate her thoughts on the nominee but said “he’ll have his work cut out for him.”

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on Nov. 6, in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Republicans will hold 53 seats in the upcoming Congress after last week’s elections, meaning Gaetz can only lose three votes from his own party if he hopes to be confirmed.

A rank and file Republican in the House of Representatives, speculated on his odds bluntly: “It’s an obvious throwaway nomination that has no chance in the Senate.”

But the skepticism is also nuanced. Fellow Trump ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he is “inclined to support” Trump’s cabinet picks, but admitted some “surprise” at Gaetz’s nomination.

“Confirmation hearings will be important. [Gaetz] will have some tough questions to answer,” Graham predicted.

Supporters cheer as President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at his last campaign rally at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 5.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who Trump has tapped to serve as secretary of state, said he has “known Matt a long time,” and thinks he “would do a good job.” Rubio added he expects Gaetz would be confirmed.

“Presidents deserve great deference, as president [he has] a mandate and he has a right to surround himself with people he trusts, especially in a position that important,” he sai

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US says Kuwait accidentally shot down 3 American jets

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

US says Kuwait accidentally shot down 3 American jets

The U.S. and Israel have been conducting strikes against targets in Iran since Saturday morning, with the aim of toppling Tehran’s clerical regime. Iran has fired back, with retaliatory assaults featuring missiles and drones targeting several Gulf countries and American bases in the Middle East.

“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” Central Command said.

“The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available,” it added.

In a separate statement later Monday, Central Command said that American forces had been killed during combat since the strikes began.

“As of 7:30 am ET, March 2, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,” it said.

Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification,” Central Command added.

This story has been updated.

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Satellite images provide view inside Iran at war

Published

14 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Satellite images provide view inside Iran at war

Smoke rises over Konarak naval base in southern Iran on Sunday. The base was one of hundreds of targets of U.S. and Israeli forces throughout the country.

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Planet Labs PBC

Commercial satellite images are providing a unique look at the extent of damage being done to Iran’s military facilities across the country.

The U.S. and Israeli military campaign opened with a daytime attack that struck Iranian leadership in central Tehran. Smoke was still visible rising from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound following the attack that killed the supreme leader.

An image by the company Airbus taken on Saturday shows the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Iran’s Leadership House in central Tehran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening wave of attacks.

Pléiades Neo (c) Airbus DS 2026

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Pléiades Neo (c) Airbus DS 2026

Israel and the U.S. have gone on to strike targets across the country. Reports on social media indicate that there have been numerous military bases and compounds attacked all over Iran, and Iran has responded with attacks throughout the Middle East.

U.S. forces have also been striking at Iran’s navy. In a post on his social media platform, President Trump said that he had been briefed that U.S. forces had sunk nine Iranian naval vessels. U.S. Central Command did not immediately confirm that number but it did say it had struck an Iranian warship in port.

An image captured on February 28 shows a ship burning at Iran's naval base at Konarak.

An image captured on Saturday shows a ship burning at Iran’s naval base at Konarak.

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Numerous satellite images show burning vessels at Konarak naval base in southern Iran. Images also show damage to a nearby airbase where hardened hangers were struck by precision munitions.

Hardened aircraft shelters at Konarak airbase were struck with precision munitions.

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And there was extensive damage at a drone base in the same area. Iran has launched numerous drones and missiles toward Israel and U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. Many drones have been intercepted but videos on social media show that some have evaded air defenses and caused damage in nearby Gulf countries. In Dubai, debris from an Iranian drone damaged the iconic Burj Al Arab, according to a statement from Dubai’s government.

Buildings at an Iranian drone base at Konarak were destroyed in the strikes.

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Iran’s most powerful weapons are its long-range missiles. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have hidden the missiles deep inside mountain tunnels. Images taken Sunday in the mountains of northern Iran indicate that some of those tunnels were hit in a wave of strikes.

Following Khamenei’s death, Iran declared 40 days of mourning. Satellite images showed mourners gathering in Tehran’s Enghelab square on Sunday.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told NPR on Sunday that Iran will continue to fight “foreign aggression, foreign domination.”

A White House official told NPR that Trump plans to talk to Iran’s interim leadership “eventually,” but that for now, U.S. operations continue in the region “unabated.”

A large crowd of mourners fill Enghelab Square in Tehran on Sunday, following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike.

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Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Video: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

new video loaded: What the Texas Primary Battle Means for the Midterms

The first battle of the midterm elections will be the U.S. Senate primary in Texas. Our Texas bureau chief, David Goodman, explains why Democrats and Republicans across the U.S. are watching closely to see what happens in the state.

By J. David Goodman, Alexandra Ostasiewicz, June Kim and Luke Piotrowski

March 1, 2026