The age of “gotcha” journalism is alive and well. But sometimes it backfires.
And now this GOP Senator silences a reporter with one answer they weren’t prepared for.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., offered a pointed rebuttal when pressed by a reporter about the House Ethics Committee report tied to attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz.
Instead of addressing the report directly, Johnson presented a photograph of two controversial Biden administration figures:
Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services, who is transgender, and Sam Brinton, the non-binary former Department of Energy official.
Unfolding a piece of paper with the image in color, Johnson highlighted Brinton, who last year pleaded no contest to theft charges in a high-profile stolen luggage case in Las Vegas.
The photo depicted Brinton and Levine dressed in women’s attire, including pumps, at what appeared to be an official event.
“Here’s my answer to [the Matt Gaetz question],” Johnson said, holding up the photo for reporters.
“Did you harass Democratic senators on those nominees?”
Johnson went on to defend President Trump’s choice of nominees while turning the focus on the Biden administration’s appointments.
“The President has been given the opportunity to fill his administration with people that he wants,” Johnson said. “He’s got an impressive agenda, so he needs people who will try and implement it aggressively.”
Checking in on Senate GOP Gaetz reaction:
When asked whether he wants to see the Gaetz ethics report, Ron Johnson unfolds a printout of this picture of Rachel Levine and Sam Brinton and asks reporters whether they “harassed” Democrats about these nominees pic.twitter.com/D59PSx3KXz
— Max Cohen (@maxpcohen) November 14, 2024
Trump shocked the political world on Wednesday by nominating Gaetz, a staunch ally and vocal supporter, to lead the Department of Justice.
The selection was widely interpreted as a bold move to position a loyal, anti-establishment figure at the helm of the DOJ and a direct challenge to Republican senators to either stand with him or risk alienating his base.
“Matt will end weaponized government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore Americans’ badly shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump declared.
If confirmed, Gaetz would lead the very department that once investigated him for alleged s*x trafficking. While no charges were filed, Gaetz faced a separate House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of s*xual misconduct, improper gift acceptance, special privilege dispensation, and illicit drug use.
Gaetz has steadfastly denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Following Trump’s announcement, Gaetz promptly resigned from his House seat, a move that could preempt the Ethics Committee from releasing its findings.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
