Trump Pick Of Matt Gaetz For Attorney General Sends Shock Waves Through Capitol

President-elect Donald Trump‘s nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) as his attorney general has sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C. 

The choice is Trump’s most controversial pick for his administration so far and sends the message that he’s aiming for a complete makeover as he returns to power. 

Trump has also chosen Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as his intelligence chief.

Gaetz has generated the most headlines since his appointment. He’s best known for spearheading the unseating of Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy last year.

Gaetz has a long history of controversy, including in 2018 when he brought a right-wing Holocaust denier to the State of the Union.

The former representative has many enemies in both parties. Trump’s choice shows that he values loyalty above all else. 

When Gaetz was announced as a nominee for attorney general during a meeting of Republican lawmakers, gasps were audibly heard. Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she didn’t think it was a serious nomination: “This one was not on my bingo card.”

Gaetz does have some allies on Capital Hill. House Speaker Mike Johnson has referred to him as an accomplished attorney, “He’s a reformer in his mind and heart, and I think that he’ll bring a lot to the table on that.”

On social media, Trump said he wants to use Gaetz to challenge the U.S. Department of Justice, which he continues to blame for his legal troubles. 

“Matt will root out the systemic corruption at the DOJ and return the department to its true mission of fighting crime and upholding our democracy and constitution,” wrote Trump.

During his campaign, Trump promised retaliation for the investigations against him. Now, Gaetz could be on the frontlines at the Department of Justice, which also investigated him.

Gaetz was accused of violating sex-trafficking laws by paying escorts in the Bahamas, sexual misconduct, drug use and misuse of campaign funds.

The position of attorney general usually goes to more senior politicians. While Gaetz has a law degree, worked for a Florida law firm and spent eight years in Congress, it doesn’t compare to Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden‘s attorney general, who was a senior federal appellate court judge.

Gaetz said he would love to be attorney general last year, “The world is not ready, probably. Certainly, Senate confirmation wouldn’t be, but you know, a boy can dream.”