‘No, Seriously – Who Is Your Pick?’ Swalwell Refuses To Believe Trump Is Really Nominating Matt Gaetz as Attorney General

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is having a hard time believing that President-elect Donald Trump actually nominated Matt Gaetz as attorney general.

Trump announced the selection on Wednesday, drawing backlash from Democrats and skeptical responses from Republicans. Just hours later, Gaetz resigned from Congress, effective immediately. Shortly thereafter, Punchbowl News reported that the House Ethics Committee was set to vote Friday on whether to release a “highly damaging” report on Gaetz. The lawmaker had been the subject of a probe examining whether he engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and received improper gifts. With Gaetz’s resignation, the investigation is now over, and no report will be issued.

Gaetz was also investigated by the Department of Justice, which last year decided against bringing charges.

Swalwell appeared on Wednesday’s OutFront on CNN, where Erin Burnett asked for his reaction.

“To the president, I say, no, seriously – who is your pick for attorney general?” Swalwell said, addressing the president-elect. “Because, this pick is a middle finger to the Democrats and sane Republicans. And it’s not being panned only by Democrats, Erin. My Republican friends in the House are also clowning this pick. They’re saying it publicly.”

Swalwell added, “Donald Trump, not known for having a sense of humor. Credit to you. You landed a good joke on the country.”

The lawmaker said Trump was trying to “own the libs with something that we know is never going to pass in the Senate.”

“Are you sure about that?” Burnett asked.

“I’m sure,” he answered. “And I say that because you still have in the Senate, by the way, at least three individuals on the Republican side who voted to convict Donald Trump. So, you still have Senators Cassidy, Murkowski, and Collins.”

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) reacted to Gaetz’s nomination by saying she would oppose it.

Swalwell added that Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) may also be disinclined to vote for Gaetz’s nomination.

“I just don’t see this happening,” Swalwell concluded.

Pending a recount in Pennsylvania, Republicans will hold either 52 or 53 seats in the Senate beginning in January.

Watch above via CNN.

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