Stephen A. Smith: Trump may have ulterior motive for Gaetz pick

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith says that “under normal circumstances,” former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) — President-elect Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department — would never be confirmed as the nation's new attorney general.

During an interview on NewsNation's "CUOMO," Smith noted that if Gaetz is confirmed, "It cements the thought that what Trump wants, Trump is going to get from all of the Republicans."

"Once again, we find ourselves deeply divided," he said.

Smith also critiqued Trump for his choice, adding that as president of the U.S., "your duty is to lead the nation effectively and productively. This requires not only loyal supporters but also highly competent advisers capable of offering the best possible guidance."

Republicans on the House Ethics Committee voted Wednesday against releasing a report on their long-running investigation into Gaetz, the top Democrat on the panel said.

Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) said the ethics panel, which is evenly split between the two parties, voted at a lengthy closed-door meeting, and no Republican joined Democrats who wanted to release the report.

Gaetz has launched an effort to secure his embattled nomination, meeting behind closed doors Wednesday with GOP senators who have questions about sexual misconduct and other allegations against him.

The Florida Republican's move came as Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray asking for “the complete evidentiary file” from the agency’s investigation into allegations of sex trafficking of minors against Gaetz.

The Democratic senators, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), say the allegations against Gaetz are “significant” in light of his associate, Joe Greenberg, having pleaded guilty to the sex trafficking charge for which the Florida Republican was also investigated.

“In order for the Senate to perform its constitutional duty in this instance, we must be able to thoroughly review all relevant materials that speak to the credibility of these serious allegations against Mr. Gaetz,” the senators wrote to Wray.

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