Kevin McCarthy: ‘No reason’ for Gaetz to be picked as Trump attorney general

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) weighed in on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) nomination to attorney general, saying there is “no reason” President-elect Trump should have picked him for the position.

McCarthy joined Fox News’s “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Monday, where he pointed to a poll that showed most Americans approve of Trump’s transition decisions, controversial picks aside.

“At this moment in time, you look at his poll approval of what he’s doing with this new transition he’s bringing, [he] got rid of the problem,” McCarthy said, pointing to Gaetz. “Now, he’s in a very good place and the approval’s high.”

Watters asked about Gaetz, who has a longstanding feud with McCarthy. The former Florida lawmaker was the primary objector to McCarthy's Speakership, resulting in the California Republican being ousted from the leadership position last year.

“You’re saying the problem was Matt Gaetz?” Watters asked, highlighted by Mediaite.

“Well, that’s a fear for all young girls,” McCarthy replied.

“Oh, stop it!” Watters said.

Gaetz withdrew his nomination to lead the Department of Justice last week after it sparked controversy.

The department previously investigated him as part of a broader sex trafficking probe. The House Ethics Committee voted last week to keep its investigation of allegations that Gaetz slept with an underage woman private, but lawmakers charged ahead with plans to force its release, leading to his withdrawal.

Shortly after Trump announced Gaetz would lead the department, McCarthy brushed off the nomination, saying “everyone knows” he won’t get confirmed.

On Monday, McCarthy said the women who have brought allegations forward against Gaetz “need their justice.”

Watters dismissed that, noting “you guys hate each other” and said there will be a “pay-per-view fight” between Gaetz and McCarthy.

“No, let’s be very honest,” McCarthy replied. “There’s no reason why that man should’ve ever been nominated. Those girls need justice and that is not the place for him.”

Trump has chosen Pam Bondi as his new attorney general nominee after Gaetz's withdrawal.