US President-elect Trump nominated Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General.
Trump announced in a statement on Wednesday, November 13th that “I am very honored to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz from Florida has been nominated as the US Attorney General.”
“Gaetz is a talented and resolute lawyer who graduated from William Mary Law School. He has stood out in Congress, focusing on the reforms urgently needed in the Department of Justice.”
Trump said, “Gaetz will end the weaponization of the government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore the serious trust and confidence of Americans in the Department of Justice.”
“We must have an honest, complete, and transparent Department of Justice. Under Gaetz’s leadership, all Americans will be proud of the Department of Justice again,” the statement said.
If confirmed, Gaetz will lead the Department of Justice after Trump’s swearing-in for his second term in January next year.
Early competitors for the position included current US senators, former Justice Department personnel, and at least one senior advisor from Trump’s first term in the White House.
The 42-year-old Gaetz has long been one of Trump’s most loyal allies in Congress, but few expected him to be nominated.
Trump first announced his nomination on his post on “Truth Social” and Gaetz responded on social media, saying, “It will be my honor to serve as the Attorney General under President Trump!”
Trump’s statement also mentioned Gaetz’s tenure on the House Judiciary Committee, stating that Gaetz played a “crucial role” in “defeating Russia, the Russia hoax,” and exposing “shocking systemic government corruption and weaponization” as claimed by Trump.
“He is a defender of the Constitution and the rule of law,” Trump said.
Matt Whitaker, former Acting Attorney General during Trump’s tenure, told Fox News last week that “He (referring to Trump) would want someone he is familiar with, likes and trusts. He would want someone who has been by his side from the beginning.”