NEW YORK — Sen. Ted Cruz is reportedly being considered for the role of U.S. attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump.
The news of the potential appointment was first reported by Bloomberg, which received the scoop from an unnamed source “familiar with the matter.” Cruz, 45, had a private meeting with Trump at the Trump Tower in New York on Tuesday. Although the contents of the meeting were unclear, it appears the conversation may have been geared towards the possibility of bringing Cruz on board for a cabinet position.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s name had been floated as a potential attorney general, but also as a possible secretary of state.
Cruz and Trump had a somewhat turbulent ride during the primary election which softened when the Texas Senator said he would vote for Trump this past September. Cruz campaigned with Vice President-elect Mike Pence in Iowa and Michigan.
Pence endorsed Cruz in the Republican presidential primary.
Cruz’s senior communications advisor, Catherine Frazier, issued a statement following his meeting with Trump in New York:
Sen. Cruz is pleased to have the opportunity to meet with President-elect Trump today. The American people issued a clear mandate to “drain the swamp” in Washington, repeal Obamacare and start over with cost-effective, patient-centered health care reform, appoint constitutionalist judges to the Supreme Court, secure our southern border and enforce immigration laws, and enact policies that will create more good-paying jobs for the American people. On behalf of the 27 million Texans he represents, the senator looks forward to assisting the Trump Administration in achieving these objectives.
According to the Washington Post, Cruz addressed several members of the media outside Trump Towers, saying, “I look forward to working hard to help lead the fight to actually accomplish the conservative agenda.”
Several hours after their meeting, Trump appeared to tease the media about how well he’s been able to keep his Cabinet picks away from the public eye, until a formal announcement is made, writing “I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!”
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