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

Donald Trump’s announcement of Congressman Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general came as a shockwave through Washington DC on Wednesday afternoon.

Among all the choices made by the president-elect for his upcoming administration, this one stands out as the most contentious. It clearly indicates that Trump plans to disrupt the status quo when he regains authority.

The outspoken Florida politician is probably most recognized for leading the campaign to remove former Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy last year. However, he has a longstanding reputation for stirring things up in the traditionally quiet environment of Congress.

In 2018, he invited a right-wing figure who denies the Holocaust to the State of the Union address. Later, he attempted to remove two grieving fathers, who had 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 earned him plenty of adversaries, even among members of his own party. By selecting Gaetz for this important position, Trump is sending a clear message to those Republicans: his next administration will be filled with loyal supporters whom he trusts to carry out his plans, regardless of traditional political views.

There were audible reactions of surprise among Republican lawmakers when the nomination for the country’s leading prosecutor was revealed, according to Axios, which referenced sources present at the meeting.

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

"I don't believe this nomination is a significant one for the attorney general," remarked Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski. "This was something I definitely didn't expect."

Gaetz has some supporters in Congress who are deeply loyal to Trump. The Florida representative has consistently been one of the strongest and most vocal advocates for the president-elect, whether it's at congressional hearings, during press briefings, or in TV interviews.

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

"He's a visionary both in his thoughts and feelings, and I believe he'll contribute significantly to the discussion," Johnson stated.

In a recent social media update, Trump outlined his plan to leverage Gaetz as a tool for significant reform within the US Department of Justice, an institution he has frequently criticized for his various legal challenges.

“Matt aims to eliminate the deep-seated corruption within the Department of Justice and restore its original purpose of combating crime and defending our democracy and constitution,” he stated.

Throughout his campaign, Trump vowed to take action against the various investigations targeting 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 as well.

Last year, authorities decided not to file charges related to claims that he broke sex trafficking laws during a Bahamas trip with escorts who were paid. He was also under investigation by the House of Representatives for allegations involving sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, and improper use of campaign funds.

However, on Wednesday evening, 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 rejected all the claims made against him.

As reported by CBS News, Gaetz requested that Trump grant him a pardon for any potential crimes before he left office in January 2021.

This makes him an unexpected candidate for a role usually held by more experienced politicians who have a strong background in law.

At 42, Gaetz holds a law degree and was employed at a law firm in Florida prior to spending eight years in Congress. Merrick Garland, who serves as Joe Biden’s attorney general, previously held a position as a senior judge on a federal appellate court. During Trump’s first term, he appointed US Senator Jeff Sessions followed by Bill Barr, both of whom brought extensive experience from their years working in Republican presidential administrations.

The Senate will need to approve Gaetz’s nomination, and the Florida congressman has stirred up some controversy among its members, even within his own party. Although Republicans hold the majority, just four votes against him, combined with all Democrats voting no, could jeopardize his nomination.

Last year, Gaetz expressed his enthusiasm for the position of attorney general, although he recognized that it was probably not a realistic goal.

He mentioned in an interview with Newsmax, "It seems like the world isn’t quite prepared yet. The Senate confirmation process definitely isn't, but hey, one can always hope."

Currently, Trump's most loyal supporters are rejoicing over his selection.

Elon Musk took to X to state, "The force of justice is on its way," referencing Gaetz.

No matter how Gaetz's pursuit of the attorney general position turns out, Trump has sent a clear message to the US government. While his upcoming term might be better organized than his initial one, it could also turn out to be even more aggressive.

North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher breaks down the competition for the White House in his US Election Unspun newsletter, which he publishes twice a week. If you're in the UK, you can subscribe here. For readers from other countries, you can sign up here.