Sen. Ron Johnson pushed back on a reporter’s question about the House Ethics Committee report related to attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz, displaying a photograph of Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services Rachel Levine, who is transgender, and non-binary former Biden Department of Energy official Sam Brinton.
Mr. Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, Thursday unfolded a piece of paper and showed reporters a color image of Brinton, who pleaded no contest to misdemeanor theft charges in a stolen-luggage case at Las Vegas airport in Nevada last year and avoided jail time.
The photo showed Brinton and Levine posing together in women’s attire, including pumps, at what appears to be an official event.
“Here’s my answer to [the Matt Gaetz question],” Mr. Johnson said to the reporter. “Did you harass Democratic senators on those nominees?”
“The President has been given the opportunity to fill his administration with people that he wants,” Mr. Johnson said. “He’s got an impressive agenda, so he needs people who will try and implement it aggressively.”
Mr. Trump stunned Washington on Wednesday with his nomination of Mr. Gaetz, a Florida Republican and loyal ally, as his pick to lead the Department of Justice.
The selection was seen as an attempt by Mr. Trump to install a loyal and aggressive anti-establishment leader at the Justice Department while daring Republican senators to defy him and block his selection.
“Matt will end weaponized government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations and restore Americans’ badly shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department,” Mr. Trump said.
If confirmed by the Senate, Mr. Gaetz will lead the Justice Department that investigated him for sex trafficking.
Mr. Gaetz was not charged with a crime. However, he was the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation into whether he engaged in sexual misconduct, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges or engaged in illicit drug use. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Mr. Gaetz resigned from his House seat immediately after Mr. Trump announced his planned nomination. The move could prevent the Ethics Committee from releasing its report.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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