Matt Gaetz: Trump's choice for attorney general shocks Washington

Donald Trump’s announcement that he is nominating Congressman Matt Gaetz for the position of attorney general shocked everyone in Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon.

Out of all the appointments chosen by the president-elect for his administration, this one stands out as the most contentious. It clearly indicates that Trump plans to disrupt the status quo when he resumes his position of authority.

The outspoken Florida politician gained significant attention for leading the campaign to remove Kevin McCarthy from his position as Speaker of the House last year. However, he has a long-standing reputation for stirring up controversy in the typically reserved environment of Congress.

In 2018, he invited a Holocaust denier with right-wing beliefs to the State of the Union address. Later, he attempted to remove two fathers, who had tragically lost their children in a mass shooting, from a hearing after they voiced their disagreement with his statements regarding gun control.

His flashy style has made him plenty of opponents, even among his own party members. By selecting Gaetz for this important position, Trump is also sending a message to those Republicans: in his next term, he will fill his administration with loyal supporters whom he trusts to follow his plans, regardless of traditional political views.

According to Axios, sources in the room reported that there were audible gasps among Republican lawmakers when the nomination for the nation's leading US prosecutor was revealed during a meeting.

Idaho Republican Congressman Mike Simpson allegedly reacted with a swear word.

"I don't believe this is a significant nomination for the attorney general," remarked Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. "This wasn't something I anticipated at all."

Gaetz has some supporters in Congress who are firmly loyal to Trump. The Florida congressman has consistently been one of the strongest and most dedicated advocates for the president-elect, whether in congressional hearings, at press conferences, or during TV appearances.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is a strong supporter of Trump, referred to Gaetz as a "skilled lawyer."

"He's passionate about making changes both in his thoughts and feelings, and I believe he'll contribute significantly in that regard," Johnson remarked.

In a social media update, Trump outlined his plan to leverage Gaetz as a force for significant change within the US Department of Justice, an agency he frequently holds responsible for his various legal challenges.

"Matt is determined to eliminate the deep-seated corruption within the Department of Justice and restore the agency's original purpose, which is to combat crime and protect our democracy and constitution," he stated.

Throughout the campaign, Trump vowed to take action against the many investigations aimed at him. It now seems that Gaetz will play a key role in Trump's attempts to rein in the justice department.

The department looked into Gaetz personally as well.

Last year, authorities decided not to press charges regarding claims that he breached sex trafficking laws during a trip to the Bahamas, where he was accompanied by paid escorts. Additionally, he was under investigation by the House of Representatives for ethical concerns related to allegations of sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, and improper use of campaign funds.

However, on Wednesday night, Johnson announced that Gaetz had stepped down from his position as a lawmaker, which essentially brought the House investigation to a close, as the committee only looks into its own members.

Gaetz has refuted all the accusations made against him.

As reported by CBS News, Gaetz requested that Trump grant him a pardon in advance for any crimes linked to him before the president's term ended in January 2021.

All of this makes him an unexpected candidate for a role usually filled by more experienced politicians who are familiar with legal matters.

At 42 years old, Gaetz holds a law degree and was employed at a law firm in Florida before serving eight years in Congress. Merrick Garland, the Attorney General under Joe Biden, previously served as a senior judge on a federal appellate court. During Donald Trump's first term, he appointed Jeff Sessions, who was a U.S. Senator, and subsequently Bill Barr, both of whom had extensive backgrounds working in Republican presidential administrations.

The Senate will be in charge of approving Gaetz's nomination, and the congressman from Florida has caused quite a stir among its members, including within his own party. Although his party holds a majority, just four votes against him, combined with unanimous support from Democrats, could jeopardize his prospects.

Last year, Gaetz expressed his desire to become attorney general, although he recognized that it was probably not going to happen.

In an interview with Newsmax, he mentioned, “It seems that the world might not be prepared just yet. The Senate confirmation process definitely wouldn’t be, but hey, a guy can hope.”

At this time, Trump's most loyal backers are expressing their enthusiasm for his selection.

“Elon Musk shared on X, ‘The forces of justice are on the way’ in reference to Gaetz.”

No matter what happens with Gaetz's attempt to become attorney general, Trump has sent a clear message to the US government. His potential second term might be better organized than the first, but it could also be even more combative.

Anthony Zurcher, our North America correspondent, breaks down the competition for the White House in his US Election Unspun newsletter, which comes out twice a week. Readers in the UK can subscribe here, while those located outside the UK can sign up here.