Representative Matt Gaetz has been appointed as Donald Trump’s attorney general, as the president-elect bypassed more experienced options in favour of a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a disruptor.
Mr Trump announced the decision in a post on his Truth Social network, saying Gaetz would “root out the systemic corruption at the DOJ (Department of Justice), and return the department to its true mission of fighting crime, and upholding our democracy and constitution.”
If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate, Mr Gaetz would instantly become one of the most closely watched members of Trump’s Cabinet, given his avowed loyalty to a president-elect who has threatened to pursue retribution against perceived adversaries.
Mr Gaetz, who represents much of the Florida Panhandle, became a conservative star when he joined Congress, appearing as a frequent staunch defender of Mr Trump on cable news.
He annoyed fellow GOP members in early 2023 when he filed the resolution that successfully ousted former House speaker Kevin McCarthy. Mr McCarthy then helped fund a primary challenge to Mr Gaetz that included commercials alleging that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old, an allegation that had been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. That investigation effectively ended Wednesday when Mr Gaetz resigned from Congress.
Mr Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and the Justice Department ended its own sex trafficking investigation without bringing charges against him.
‘Everyone was saying “oh my god”‘
The Florida lawmaker was not among the more established attorneys who had been mentioned as contenders for the job, and even his colleagues in Congress appeared surprised by the news.
“Everybody was saying, ‘Oh my God,’” said Mike Simpson, a Republican representative from Idaho. “That was about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time.”
House Republicans first became aware of the nomination during a private meeting and initially thought the news was a joke before realising Mr Trump had indeed named Mr Gaetz to serve as the nation’s chief law officer.
However, representative Max Miller told reporters the mood in the room was more a reflection of members’ happiness that the Florida Republican will no longer be a member of the chamber after years of instigating intraparty battles.
Even Trump’s allies in the Senate were keeping their distance.
“We’ll see,” said Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin when asked whether he would vote to confirm Mr Gaetz.
Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, suggested that the Senate would look closely into Mr Gaetz, including the House Ethics Committee investigation.
“I’m sure it will make for a popcorn-eating confirmation hearing,” said Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina.