Who is Matt Gaetz? The Attorney General nominee who is no stranger to controversy
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Donald Trump has revealed his intention to nominate former Republican congressman from Florida, Matt Gaetz, for the position of attorney general.
In a statement, the president-elect commended Gaetz, 42, who has often stood up for Trump and opposed the numerous legal and congressional investigations into the Republican.
“On the House Judiciary Committee, responsible for overseeing the Department of Justice, Matt was instrumental in debunking the so-called Russia Hoax and revealing serious and widespread corruption within the government,” Trump stated on Wednesday, describing Gaetz as a “Defender of the Constitution and the Rule of Law.”
Gaetz has encountered several accusations of misconduct, including a federal investigation into sex trafficking that concluded without any charges being filed against him, as well as an ethics review by the House.
Here’s what you should understand about Gaetz, who was previously referred to as the most loyal supporter of Trump among Congress members in Washington:
Gaetz, who is a lawyer by profession, was elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Florida's first congressional district, having previously worked in the Florida House of Representatives. He is the son of well-known Florida politician Don Gaetz.
On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that Matt Gaetz had stepped down from his position in Congress following Trump’s declaration of his attorney general pick. This move was intended to ensure that Republicans can swiftly replace him if he is confirmed for the role in the administration.
Matt Gaetz studied at William & Mary Law School and is married to Ginger Gaetz, who is the sister of tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey. Luckey is well-known for founding Oculus and Anduril and has provided financial support for Republican political initiatives.
Included in the family is Nestor Galban, the brother of Gaetz’s former girlfriend, whom he has taken in and raised like a son.
Why Was Matt Gaetz Under Investigation?
Gaetz was involved in a federal investigation related to sex trafficking that focused on a former associate, Joel Greenberg. Reports indicate that both of them were linked to a group of Florida Republicans who attended gatherings where drugs were used and women, who had been compensated, were engaged in sexual activities.
In 2021, Greenberg admitted to committing several federal offenses, which included the trafficking of a minor for sex, stealing someone's identity, stalking, committing wire fraud, and conspiring to bribe a government official. As a result, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Gaetz has rejected any claims of misconduct.
In 2023, the Justice Department decided not to pursue charges against the congressman from Florida.
Gaetz was involved in an ethics investigation conducted by the House, which included speaking with witnesses from the federal investigation. These witnesses claim they were at parties where Gaetz was supposedly seen with women who were compensated by Greenberg. One witness allegedly informed investigators during the summer that Gaetz had paid her for sex, a claim he refutes.
The Republican has rejected these allegations, stating that the inquiry is founded on "falsehoods meant only to tarnish my reputation."
Gaetz's departure from Congress will put an end to the ethics probe being conducted by the House. Earlier this year, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated that Gaetz played a key role in a successful effort to undermine his leadership, which was aimed at halting the ethics inquiry.
In her memoir, Cassidy Hutchinson, who used to work for the Trump administration, alleges that Gaetz touched her inappropriately on two separate instances and attempted to flirt with her while at Camp David.
Gaetz has rejected the accusations but maintains that he and Hutchinson were in a relationship at one point, a claim Hutchinson disputes.
Matt Gaetz's Actions In Congress Explained
Gaetz was known for being one of the loudest critics in Congress, attacking both officials from the Biden administration and his fellow Republicans with the same intensity.
In 2019, Gaetz was instrumental in guiding a faction of Republicans in a rare action of bursting into a private hearing that was part of one of Trump’s impeachment processes.
In committee hearings, Gaetz frequently criticized witnesses. For instance, in an April 2022 hearing, he confronted Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin aggressively, questioning whether the military has become too "woke."
He has also directed his criticism at his own party and played a crucial role in the removal of Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023.
In the House of Representatives, Gaetz often spoke out against the investigations into the connections between the Trump campaign and Russia, labeling them as the “Russia Hoax.”
What Will Matt Gaetz Do As Attorney General?
Although Trump asserts that Gaetz will bring about a nonpartisan phase at the Department of Justice, the staunch MAGA supporter has often attacked the prosecutors looking into Donald Trump and hinted that they should be subject to more examination.
He has urged Fani Willis, a Georgia official leading the prosecution against Donald Trump for his efforts to challenge the state's 2020 election results, to step down and face an investigation following the disclosure of her relationship with someone on her legal staff.
In Congress, Gaetz introduced a bill aimed at cutting funding for the investigation led by Jack Smith, the special counsel who is prosecuting Donald Trump for allegedly plotting to overturn the election results. Trump has stated that if he returns to office, he would dismiss Smith almost immediately.
Gaetz has also implied that he might target Hunter Biden, the son of Joe Biden, who is presently facing sentencing for federal gun and tax offenses.
In a 2023 interview, Gaetz mentioned, "We have the option to send criminal referrals to the Department of Justice. We can reclaim the White House, and you never know... in the future, it could be someone like Attorney General Matt Gaetz or someone else who shares my views, ready to uphold the law and ensure accountability."
Matt Gaetz's Take On January 6 And 2020 Results
Gaetz has backed numerous unfounded assertions regarding the 2020 election and the events of the Capitol riot on January 6.
The Republican from Florida was one of the lawmakers who voted to contest the certification of the election results. He has expressed that he is still “proud” of the valid points he and his fellow party members raised regarding election integrity in early 2021, during the time when Trump sought to hold onto power after losing the presidential election.
Even two years later, Gaetz insisted that Trump was the legitimate winner of the 2020 election, even though numerous courts had dismissed those claims time and again.
Gaetz has embraced baseless conspiracy theories regarding the events of January 6, suggesting that there was no uprising and that government agents instigated the disorder at the Capitol.
The MAGA supporter is said to have requested early pardons from Donald Trump for his activities after the 2020 election, as well as for the sex trafficking case in Florida.
If Gaetz becomes the attorney general, it could significantly affect the many cases involving the January 6 rioters, which represent the largest federal prosecution in American history.
Leaders' Reactions To Matt Gaetz's Proposal
Trump's announcement has sparked a range of reactions in Congress, as the Senate prepares to vote on Gaetz's confirmation.
Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, shared with The Independent that the announcement came across as something you'd expect to see in a satirical magazine.
"That appeared in The Onion," Welch remarked.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis commented to reporters on Capitol Hill, saying, "I'm sure it'll be an entertaining confirmation process."
