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He was also asked about Trump's recent designation of the ambassador to Germany -- Richard Grenell -- as acting director of national intelligence.

When host Joy Behar asked about Grenell's loyalty to Trump, Gaetz stood by the president's designation.

\"If you look at the team he's assembled with people like [former National Security adviser] John Bolton, the president regularly surrounds himself with people who disagree with him,\" Gaetz said. \"I think some of the most spirited discussions I've had have been with -- have been with [Sens.] Lindsey Graham, Rand Paul, [and] myself and the president discussing foreign policy.\"

Grenell, the first openly gay member designated to a cabinet position, wouldn't have been allowed to serve in national intelligence 50 years ago, Geatz pointed out.

\"But just for a moment, I would like to take a second to reflect on the fact that this is a good thing in this country that we do not ban gay people from being able to patriotically serve in the intelligence community,\" he said, praising Trump for his decision.

Hostin then interrupted, saying, \"Just transgendered people.\"

\"Well we shouldn't be banning anybody based on who they are and who they love,\" Gaetz said. \" That's not the kind of Republican I am, and it's not the kind of Republican the president is.\"

Grennell tweeted on Thursday that his role will not be permanent: \"The President will announce the Nominee (not me) sometime soon.\"

\"PHOTO:
John Locher/AP
PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidates participate in a Democratic presidential primary debate, Feb. 19, 2020, in Las Vegas, hosted by NBC News and MSNBC.
>

Gaetz also tore into the Democrats following Wednesday night’s fiery debate in Las Vegas, where former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg took the stage and faced attacks from the other Democratic candidates for the first time.

\"It's fascinating right now that the Democratic party is likely not going to nominate a Democrat,\" he said, referencing Sen. Bernie Sanders and Bloomberg respectively. \"They're either going to nominate a Socialist or someone who some time ago was a Republican.\"

He lashed out at former Vice President Joe Biden, who has recently been slipping in the polls.

\"What state is he going to win?\" Gaetz said. \"I mean, this is a man -- the fundamental premise of the Biden campaign is that he is electable, and he can't seem to win elections.\"

When asked by the hosts who he thought could beat Trump in the general election, Gaetz responded \"none of them.\"

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