President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as his nominee for Attorney General, a decision that is already causing shockwaves within Washington, D.C., and the Justice Department. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, positioning Gaetz as a key figure in his administration’s plan to overhaul the nation’s justice system.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Gaetz for his commitment to ending what he calls the “Weaponization of our Justice System,” vowing that the lawmaker would work to dismantle what Trump describes as a politically biased government. “Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump wrote.
Gaetz, a staunch ally of Trump, has long been a vocal critic of the Justice Department, accusing it of political bias and misconduct, especially under President Joe Biden’s administration. On the House Judiciary Committee, Gaetz played a leading role in opposing the investigations into Trump’s Russia ties, and he has regularly condemned the FBI and DOJ for alleged overreach. Trump has called Gaetz a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney,” underscoring his role as a prominent voice in the Republican push to reshape federal law enforcement.
In response, Gaetz said it would be an “honor” to serve as Trump’s Attorney General. He flew to Washington with Trump on the President-elect’s private jet following the announcement, and reports indicate he spent several days at Mar-a-Lago earlier in the week discussing his potential new role.
The pick has sent ripples through the Justice Department, with sources reporting a strong reaction from career staffers. An employee at DOJ headquarters told reporters that the news was met with “intense shock,” while sources within the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington, D.C. described the response as “absolute disbelief.”
Gaetz’s nomination, which must be confirmed by the Senate, comes despite ongoing investigations into the lawmaker. Gaetz has been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims related to sex trafficking. The bipartisan panel announced in June that some of the allegations “merit continued review,” though Gaetz has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has denied ever paying for sex or having any inappropriate relationships with minors.
Should Gaetz move forward with his nomination, the investigation into his conduct could be complicated, as the Ethics Committee would lose jurisdiction if he resigns from Congress to take the AG role.
The reaction to Gaetz’s selection has been mixed, with some political observers surprised by Trump’s choice. Michael Guest, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, expressed surprise over the nomination but stopped short of questioning Trump’s decision. “His name was not someone that I had heard come up previously,” Guest told reporters, though he added that Senate confirmation hearings would provide an opportunity for senators to ask tough questions.
The appointment of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General signals the central role law enforcement and the justice system will play in Trump’s vision for his second term. If confirmed, Gaetz would be tasked with enforcing Trump’s hardline policies on immigration, law enforcement, and political retribution.
The announcement is the latest in a series of controversial personnel picks by Trump, who has made it clear that he intends to reshape federal agencies to reflect his “America First” agenda. Gaetz’s nomination is expected to be one of the most contentious in the upcoming confirmation process, with senators likely to scrutinize his record and the ongoing ethics investigations.
