President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as the next U.S. Attorney General. Gaetz, 42, has already submitted his resignation from Congress, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson, although it will not be official until announced on the House floor.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Gaetz for his commitment to reforming the Department of Justice, describing him as someone who “has distinguished himself in Congress” with a focus on much-needed changes at the DOJ. Gaetz responded on X, expressing his honor at being selected for the position.
This move highlights Trump’s continuing emphasis on loyalty within his administration. Having distanced himself from former allies whom he now views as “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only) or adversaries of his MAGA agenda, Trump is prioritizing loyalty over other qualifications in his second term.
If confirmed by the Senate, Gaetz will replace Merrick Garland, the current Attorney General, who oversaw a sex trafficking investigation into Gaetz. The DOJ ultimately decided not to pursue charges against him.
Gaetz has also been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, but Johnson pointed out that the committee would lose jurisdiction over Gaetz once he leaves Congress. The Ethics Committee had been preparing to vote on releasing a report on its investigation into Gaetz just before his resignation. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and had previously stated that he would no longer cooperate with the ethics probe.
Matt Gaetz, a vocal and loyal supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, has gained attention for his fierce criticism of the Department of Justice (DOJ), particularly its investigation and prosecution of Trump by special counsel Jack Smith.
In October 2023, Gaetz played a pivotal role in the effort to oust then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Gaetz, along with a small group of Republicans, teamed up with Democrats to remove McCarthy, which caused significant turmoil within the GOP.
On Wednesday, Gaetz was traveling with Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, and other figures during Trump’s first visit to Washington, D.C., following his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the election.
Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz as Attorney General surprised many, including some of his Republican colleagues in Congress. Just a day before the announcement, House Speaker Mike Johnson had downplayed the possibility of more members leaving Congress to join the incoming administration, after Trump had already tapped other GOP members like Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Waltz for his team.
Senator Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, expressed her surprise, telling Punchbowl News that she was “shocked” by Gaetz’s nomination and anticipated many questions would be raised during his confirmation hearings.
Rep. Mike Simpson, a Republican from Idaho, was blunt when asked about Gaetz’s character and suitability for the role of Attorney General, responding, “Are you s——- me?”