Photo: Getty Images
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly calling senators to urge them to confirm his controversial pick for attorney general.
According to Axios, Trump is making calls to Senate Republicans for them to vote to confirm former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is embroiled in allegations of sexual misconduct, as his attorney general.
North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer (R) confirmed that he had received a call from Trump over Gaetz's confirmation.
"He clearly wants Matt Gaetz," Cramer said. "He believes Matt Gaetz is the one person who will have the fearlessness and ferociousness, really, to do what needs doing at the Department of Justice."
"One thing about Donald Trump, people should never confuse his support for one of his nominees as a tactical or strategic tool for somebody else," he continued. "And at least to this point, he's putting his own political capital behind it."
"And he's a pretty persuasive guy," Cramer added.
A second senator also told Axios that Trump had reached out to garner support for Gaetz.
The added pressure to confirm Gaetz comes as the House Ethics Committee is debating whether to release its report into the former Florida lawmaker's sexual misconduct allegations. While Speaker Mike Johnson has advocated for the report to remain sealed, other House lawmakers have said it will likely get leaked to the press anyway.
Gaetz has denied the sexual misconduct claims. He can only afford to lose three votes in order to be confirmed on the floor.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.