President-elect Donald Trump has picked Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., to be the next attorney general.
Trump made his announcement on Truth Social and X, formerly Twitter.
“Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,” Trump wrote. “Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System. Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”
Trump lauded Gaetz for his work on the House Judiciary Committee. One of its main functions is to oversee the Department of Justice.
“Matt played a key role in defeating the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, and exposing alarming and systemic Government Corruption and Weaponization. He is a Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law,” Trump added.
There were many others viewed as possible candidates for the post, including current U.S. senators, former Justice Department personnel and a top White House adviser who served during Trump’s first term as president, Fox News reported.
Gaetz himself posted about the nomination on X, writing, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
Former Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker talked last week about who Trump should pick as his AG.
“He’s going to want someone who he knows, likes and trusts,” Whitaker said. “He’s going to want someone who was there from the beginning.”
