Trump nominates Matt Gaetz to be Attorney General in stunning move
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President-elect Donald Trump named controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his nominee for Attorney General in a move that is bound to outrage Democrats and even shock many Republicans in Washington.
Gaetz is a MAGA firebrand who has taken aim at both GOP House members and Democrats alike as he has remained a close ally of Trump.
While Trump appears to be valuing staunch loyalty as a prerequisite for his choices to key posts over standard qualifications, the choice of Gaetz as the top law enforcement official in the land left many scratching their heads - if not scraping their jaws off the floor.
It was announced earlier this year that the GOP lawmaker is under an investigation by the House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery.
Trump's Attorney General pick Rep. Matt Gaetz is a Republican firebrand and MAGA loyalist married to wife Ginger
He was also the subject of a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl, but charges were never brought.
'It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,' Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon.
'Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,' Trump continued.
If confirmed, Gaetz would become the top law enforcement officer in the nation, overseeing the Justice Department and the FBI.
The president-elect claimed in his post there are few issues in the U.S. more important than 'ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System.'
Trump claimed Gaetz will 'restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.'
Gaetz posted on X in response to the announcement 'It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!'
The longtime MAGA loyalist was first elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Florida's first congressional district. He previously served in the Florida House or Representatives.
Gaetz gained prominence for his controversial remarks as a member of Congress and actions as a member of the Freedom Caucus.
After taking office during Trump's first term, he became one of the lead critics into the Russia investigations into the 45th president.
The president-elect claimed in his post there are few issues in the U.S. more important than 'ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System'
After taking office during Trump's first term, he became one of the lead critics into the Russia investigations into the 45th president
Trump AG pick Rep. Matt Gaetz speaking at a Trump campaign rally in Nevada on October 31
Gaetz served as a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
In 2018, he invited an alt-right accused Holocaust denier as his guest to the president's State of the Union address.
Last fall, Gaetz led the conservative Republicans' effort to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy leading to the dramatic showdown and an embarrassing number of votes on Capitol Hill as GOP lawmakers scrambled to find a replacement.
The House Ethics Committee probe into Gaetz began in 2021 in response to a Justice Department request.
It expanded to include reviews of allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use as part of its long-running investigation earlier this year.
Gaetz, 42, has denied all allegations against him before the committee.
In September, the married lawmaker claimed the investigation was a 'political payback exercise' and argued the 'lawful, consensual sexual activities of adults are not the business of Congress.'
Last year, GOP Senator Markwayne Mullin slammed Gaetz publicly telling CNN no one was defending the Florida lawmaker because 'we had all seen the videos he was showing on the House floor... of the girls that he had slept with.'
Rep. Gaetz with Donald Trump as he appears in a Manhattan criminal court where he was convicted on 34 criminal counts in May 2024 for covering up hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels
Gaetz remained one of Trump's closest allies as he was tried and convicted in a Manhattan criminal court of 34 counts for covering up the hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels to hide an affair.
Gaetz appeared with Trump in the courtroom and spoke on his behalf outside as the trial was taking place earlier this year.
It is not clear whether Gaetz would have the necessary support from Republican senators to be confirmed as Attorney General.
GOP Senator Susan Collins said she was shocked by the pick. She was not the only one to express dismay.
Others said his effort to oust McCarthy was concerning and argued there is a serious background check to be Attorney General.
But Mullin, who once slammed Gaetz claiming he showed him videos of girls just last year, said he completely trusts Trump with his nominations.
He told CNN it would be up to the controversial Republican lawmaker to come before lawmakers and sell himself on the job.
Fellow Freedom Caucus members, however, appeared ecstatic with the nomination. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie speaking to reporters on the hill on Wednesday had a simple message.
'He's the attorney general, suck it up,' Massie said.
