Jake Tapper Says Words He ‘Never Contemplated Using’ In Savage Gaetz News Intro

CNN host Jake Tapper added a personal touch to his breaking news bulletin Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump had nominated Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to be his attorney general.

“Welcome to ‘The Lead,’ I’m Jake Tapper. And let me begin the show by uttering some words that I never contemplated using together before. And those words are: U.S. Attorney General Matt Gaetz. Because if you were wondering what Trump without the guardrails looks like, well, we’re getting an idea beyond the theoretical. We are starting with breaking news on so many fronts related to President-elect Donald Trump’s transition.”

Gaetz ― who previously faced a federal probe into accusations that he engaged in sex trafficking, and was still under investigation by the House Ethics Committee until he resigned his House seat on Wednesday ― was not on the minds of many people apparently. The appointment sent shockwaves through even Republican circles.

While Gaetz’s confirmation by the Senate is no sure thing, Tapper’s words captured the unsettling prospect of Trump in charge while flanked by deeply flawed and questionably qualified loyalists. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have been among other controversial names tapped for cabinet posts.