Trump picks far-right congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general

On Wednesday, Donald Trump announced that he plans to nominate Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for the role of US attorney general, selecting a staunch supporter from the far-right for one of the most influential positions in the US government.

Gaetz's nomination stands out as one of the most important announcements so far. If appointed as attorney general, he would become the top law enforcement official in the nation and would be responsible for guiding the government's legal stances on critical matters such as abortion, civil rights, and First Amendment rights. The president-elect has promised to utilize the Justice Department to target his political opponents, and it is widely believed that Gaetz will assist him in carrying out this promise.

Elected to Congress in 2016, Gaetz serves a staunchly Republican district in the Florida panhandle and has gained a reputation for being one of the more flamboyant members of Congress. It has been reported that he requested a pardon from Trump related to his attempts to reverse the election results, and he has shown support for various conspiracy theories regarding the Capitol attack. Last year, he played a major role in successfully removing fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy from the position of Speaker, which created significant turmoil within his party.

Gaetz's nomination comes just over a year after the Justice Department chose not to file charges against him in connection with a sex trafficking probe involving claims that he had sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. Joel Greenberg, a former friend and associate of Gaetz, admitted to guilt in a sex trafficking case and received an 11-year prison sentence. Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations against him.

He is also under investigation by the House ethics committee due to claims that he was involved in sexual misconduct and drug use, accepted inappropriate gifts, provided special treatment to people he had personal ties with, and attempted to hinder government inquiries into his actions. He has denied any wrongdoing.

In the meantime, Trump lavished compliments on Gaetz.

“Matt is an exceptionally skilled and determined lawyer, educated at the College of William & Mary, who has made a name for himself in Congress by prioritizing essential reforms at the Department of Justice,” Trump mentioned in a statement shared on his Truth Social account.

He emphasized, “One of the most pressing matters in America is putting a stop to the partisan misuse of our justice system. Matt will put an end to government overreach, secure our borders, break down criminal organizations, and help restore the trust and confidence that Americans have lost in the Justice Department.”

The nomination faced a wave of backlash right away.

“This individual has been evading the authorities for a long while, so he likely believes he's untouchable. He’s likely deeply corrupt,” stated Olivia Troye, a former official at the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s presidency, who has become a vocal opponent of the former president.

Robert Weissman, co-president of the advocacy group Public Citizen, remarked that it is difficult to conceive of a more unsuitable and incompetent candidate than Gaetz.

"In his role as a Congressman, Gaetz has shown a disregard for legal standards, honesty, and basic decency. He is completely unfit to head an agency responsible for upholding civil rights and environmental regulations. If Gaetz were in charge, we could anticipate a country where corporate wrongdoers escape punishment, while immigrants and people of color face harassment or arrest on flimsy grounds," he remarked in a statement.

In January, the Republicans will assume leadership of the US Senate, where they will be responsible for voting on Gaetz’s confirmation. It looks like they are set to secure at least 53 seats, which means they would have sufficient votes to approve the Florida congressman, even if some GOP senators oppose him.

Gaetz has previously made insulting and inappropriate comments about women. In 2022, he remarked, "It's interesting that the women who are least likely to conceive are the ones most concerned about abortion. If you look like a thumb, no one’s going to want to get you pregnant."

Before joining Congress, he served as a lawmaker in Florida and was against a law aimed at preventing revenge porn. It's been reported that he informed the person who proposed the bill that former partners should be able to do whatever they wanted with images that had been shared with them.

"Are you not amused?" asked Scott Jennings, a CNN political analyst and supporter of Trump, following the recent developments.

Andrew Gumbel provided additional insights.