Here's a scary phrase for you: Attorney General Ted Cruz

The Texas senator paid a visit to Trump Tower, and is now in the running to lead the Justice Department

Published November 16, 2016 2:14PM (EST)

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2016 file photo, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas listen as Donald Trump speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate at The University of Houston in Houston. Cruz announced Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, he will vote for Donald Trump, a dramatic about-face for the Texas senator who previously called the New York businessman a "pathological liar" and "utterly amoral." (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2016 file photo, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas listen as Donald Trump speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate at The University of Houston in Houston. Cruz announced Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, he will vote for Donald Trump, a dramatic about-face for the Texas senator who previously called the New York businessman a "pathological liar" and "utterly amoral." (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

Sen. Ted Cruz visited Trump Tower on Tuesday, inflating speculation of whether the Texas conservative is vying for a role in President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet.

Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs — who broke news Tuesday of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie appointee Mike Rogers' departure from the transition team — on Tuesday evening revealed Trump is considering Cruz for attorney general:

On his way out of Trump Tower, Cruz dodged questions from reporters regarding his potential role in Trump's cabinet.

Rudy Giuliani's name was mentioned before Friday's overhaul as a potential attorney general appointee, but the former New York mayor is now rumored to be in competition with John Bolton for the secretary of state gig.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham — who reluctantly endorsed Cruz over Trump in the Republican primary, comparing the choice to "choosing between getting shot or poisoned" — added that Cruz, "young and in the mold of [Antonin] Scalia," could potentially fill the late Supreme Court justice's vacancy:

Asked last week who should fill Scalia's vacancy, Graham told The Greenville (South Carolina) News, "I would put Ted Cruz on that list. I would suggest that President Trump look within the Senate."

"There is some talent there," he added. "There is no stronger constitutional conservative than Ted Cruz."


By Brendan Gauthier

Brendan Gauthier is a freelance writer.

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Antonin Scalia Attorney General Donald Trump Lindsey Graham Rudy Giuliani Scotus Ted Cruz Transition Team