Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) dismissed allegations against two controversial President-elect Donald Trump cabinet nominees, arguing that the former and future president would not “pick somebody who is a criminal.”
“We have to look at facts, but we have to help President Trump,” Tuberville told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow, according to a clip highlighted by Mediaite. “He will not pick somebody that’s a criminal. He will not do that. He will vet everybody.”
CNN has reported that Trump’s transition team is bypassing traditional FBI background checks for some of his cabinet picks, opting to use private companies to conduct vetting instead.
These private firms missed some crucial details during their vetting process resulting in Trump’s team being caught off guard when allegations against his nominees are reported in the media.
On Wednesday, Tuberville dismissed the very serious and credible allegations against Trump’s Attorney General nominee Matt Gaetz and Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth as “rumors”.
“There is more rumors going around there about Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth, and even all of them will have some kind of rumor when it comes down to it,” he said.
Gaetz had been investigated for alleged sex trafficking by the Justice Department and by the House Ethics Committee for alleged sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, inappropriate relationships with underage girls, and other claims.
Hegseth reportedly paid off a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2017
“No matter who President Trump picks, the media will hammer them every day,” Tuberville argued.” If you are a Republican, you have to fight your way through all this.”
