The United States President-elect, Donald Trump, has announced Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, as his nominee for the position of Attorney-General, setting the stage for Gaetz to lead the Justice Department under Trump’s second presidency.
Trump made the announcement on Wednesday via a post on Truth Social, stating that Gaetz “has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.”
Gaetz, a close ally of Trump, confirmed his nomination on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing, “It will be an honour to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
Gaetz, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has been a vocal defender of Trump during his time in Congress. In his statement, Trump praised Gaetz for his work on the committee, where he played “a key role” in “defeating the Russia, Russia Hoax” and exposing what Trump described as “alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization.” The president-elect further hailed Gaetz as “a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law.”
Gaetz, a graduate of William & Mary Law School, has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2008. His nomination marked a significant appointment, as early contenders for the attorney general role included sitting U.S. senators, former Justice Department officials, and key figures from Trump’s first term in office.
Commenting on Gaetz’s selection, former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker told Fox News last week, “He’s going to want someone who he knows, likes and trusts… someone who was there from the beginning.”
If confirmed, Gaetz will take charge of the Justice Department during a period of heightened focus on reform and internal investigations.
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