U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican who in recent years has become a national political lightning rod, was picked Wednesday by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general.
Trump’s announcement that he is nominating Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice came shortly after he confirmed that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is his choice for secretary of state. Rubio’s expected nomination had been widely reported in recent days.
In a statement, Trump called Gaetz “a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney” who will end “the partisan weaponization of our justice system” and “root out the systemic corruption at DOJ.”
“Under Matt’s leadership, all Americans will be proud of the Department of Justice once again,” Trump wrote.
Gaetz quickly replied on X, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”
The appointment, which is subject to U.S. Senate confirmation, caught many people off-guard and immediately drew criticism from Trump opponents.
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried said nominating Gaetz “is beyond catastrophic for the country.”
“Matt Gaetz is a chaos agent who cares about nothing but his own personal power,” Fried said in a statement. “He spent his eight years in Congress trying to burn our institutions to the ground — bringing us to the brink of multiple government shutdowns and constitutional crises along the way.”
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said in a brief interview with Hearst Television that Gaetz is “an interesting pick, and we’ve got a confirmation process.”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power described Gaetz as a trusted friend.
“Matt Gaetz has been a relentless warrior for conservatism and a steadfast champion of the MAGA movement,” Power said.
An early supporter of Trump and a frequent guest on conservative media, Gaetz has identified himself as a “libertarian populist” and been at the center of several controversies in Florida and on Capitol Hill. In 2023, for example, he orchestrated the removal of California Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House.
Though McCarthy left Congress, their feud has continued to simmer, and Gaetz has remained under an House ethics investigation related to allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor and possibly violated sex-trafficking laws. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Trump’s selection of Gaetz will lead to Gov. Ron DeSantis calling a second special election to fill congressional seats. Trump announced this week that U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., will serve as national security adviser in the new administration.
Gaetz and Waltz represent Republican strongholds. In the Nov. 5 election, Gaetz received 66 percent of the vote in Congressional District 1, which is made up of all or parts of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. Waltz represents Congressional District 6, which is made up of all or parts of Flagler, Lake, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties.
Gaetz was first elected to the Florida House in a 2010 special election before winning the congressional seat in 2016. His father is former state Senate President Don Gaetz, a Niceville Republican who was elected last week to return to the Senate.
Meanwhile, Trump on Wednesday confirmed that Rubio is his choice for secretary of state, saying in an online post that “Marco is a highly respected leader, and a very powerful voice for freedom.”
“He will be a strong advocate for our nation, a true friend to our allies, and a fearless warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said.
Rubio, who went from challenging Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 to being considered a potential running mate this year, served as Florida House speaker during the 2007 and 2008 legislative sessions before getting elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010.
Rubio was considered Trump’s top adviser on Latin America issues during Trump’s first term in the White House and is viewed as a “China hawk” for tough stances against the country.
The Republican Party of Florida quickly issued a statement saying Rubio “will ensure that the best interests of our nation will be upheld as he implements President Trump’s agenda.”
“Communist regimes around the world, from China, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Iran, and beyond should be worried,” the statement said.
Fried described the appointments of Gaetz, Waltz and Rubio as Trump “raiding our state for any Florida Man loyal to him, no matter how incompetent, unqualified, or extreme they may be.”
Rubio’s nomination will require U.S. Senate confirmation. Rumors quickly swirled this week about potential replacements for Rubio in the Senate, with DeSantis able to name a successor.
Names mentioned have included Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, former Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva, U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee and James Uthmeier, DeSantis’ chief of staff.
Rubio’s term is scheduled to expire in 2028, but DeSantis’ appointee would serve until an election is held in 2026.
–Jim Turner, News Service of Florida
Pogo says
@Dear President Trump
I’m deeply anguished to learn that every other human being on this planet declined to serve as your AG.
Hang tough, or whatever.
Tariff wars says
lol sex offender helping sex offender. Hope for future is just above drink bleach.
David Schaefer says
America is really going down the crapper if they confirm this POS he really belongs in prison for his crimes…
Justbob says
There are not enough explitives.
Justbob says
There are not enough expletives.
Samuel says
OMG just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse than reelecting a felon, it just did. Now we have someone that will drag down the rest of our government.
Bailey’s Mom says
Wow, just when you think it can’t get any worse….it does! How can so many incompetent people be chosen to serve? Oh that’s right if you’re a criminal, sex offender or traitor along with tRump then you move to the top of the list.
The next 4 years will mark the dark ages for America.
The fight to defend Our Constitution continues…don’t give up!
jackson says
Steve Bannon once said the only way to take down the United States government is to do it from the inside. To get people voted into powerful positions to tear down the established norms until there is no more functioning government. And here we are.
Robjr says
A credibly accused rapist nominates a suspected pedophile to the highest law enforcement position in the US.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz says
Brilliant choice, I can’t wait to see how bad this fucks things up for everyone.
YankeeExPat says
Someone Please call Child Protective Services ..
……………..NOW !
Skibum says
Why should we all seem surprised at this latest tidbit from drumph’s circus 2.0? It makes perfect sense to me that he would seek out someone like Gaetz for his A.G. After all, who loves a sex offender more than other sex offenders? And if you expect some deferential treatment on pending appeals and future potential criminal prosecutions, you would certainly want a fellow sex offender in charge of wiping those enormous liabilities away for good, someone who knows just what it is like being accused of sex offenses, right? Genius… if it works, and that is yet to be seen since even Republican senators in Congress so far seem to be incredulous at such a brazen choice for the top law enforcement officer in the U.S.
United we hate says
Corrupt much? Gonna be a long couple years .even the guy with over 300 billion dollars says we’re all gonna have to suffer and pull ourselves up by the ol bootstraps. Guess that’s how it goes when right wing propaganda media becomes bigger than the mainstream media. Chief convict won so there should never be a question about backgrounds for jobs, loans, and certifications . If the nation’s highest position is a rapist and convicted felon than why do those same people get to discriminate against others?
Alex says
Trump is doing everything and more that he said he would. Just wait until January 20th when he is sworn in. If you thought it couldn’t get worse it can and it will.
Tony says
Likes attract Likes
Thomas Hutson says
Ode to President Trump (AKA) Daddy Warbucks
Wow, oh Wow, how lucky are we Americans, and all other legal immigrants to have been a party to the 2024 Presidential Election! America has elected its leader without a court fight, not one of all those mail in ballots were fraud this time. Now just as the new guy said he would, he is filling his top cabinet positions with the highest level of educated qualified individuals. Fine picks they are too, good outstanding main stream supporters, many coming from the great state of Florida. Rubio, head minion, Gaetz, sex trafficking investigation, Waltz, a minion trying to keep up, outstanding leaders. Then, there is the TV guy Hegseth another sleeper with alleged sexual assault. How can anyone find fault with these picks? Not to overlook his most advent supporter R. Kennedy, what a man! Had a worm in his brain ouch, against vaccines, so happy he was picked.
Why are all of these “RED” supporters crying now? Might be thinking of how in the next six-seven months when Big Daddy can’t come through with his new promises who are we going to blame, sure as hell won’t be us, it’s all fake. Big Daddy can prove he can walk on water, he will prove that when he stops both on-going wars/conflicts with just his phone call. What a man so glad he was elected, all this crying should stop now, everyone is “GREAT” again!
Now, wait a minute, the man has left out some other main very vocal supporters, with as much guff as any others. Take Green what a mouth, Jordon close second, not to forget that football jock Tuberville held up Military promotions because he could, but staunch supporter of our troops, another great choice. Oh, my I almost forgot his most loyal wannabe just like you Daddy Warbucks, Little Mussolini himself, DeSantis. You really need to find a spot in your cabinet for him! Hey how about the position of Surgeon General, he thinks and acts like a doctor, he will be another great choice. Oh yes and then there is Florida’s own Scott, you just can not leave him out. Then there is that biggest crybaby of all Graham, you know the one that supported McClain until big daddy the guy with bone spurs, decided he was not a real HERO!
Big guy made some more promises this time around, picked up two more heavy BILLIONAIRES, rocket man Musk and Ramaswamy. Hey, maybe they could pay for the wall, Mexico did not pay up last time.
Outstanding crew, what could possibly go wrong? Control of both houses, and the oval office now! Plus, big daddy has the support of the “housemaid” and her buddies like Roberts, a perfect chameleon, Thomas, sexual harassment allegation, and another guy Kavanaugh, that also has sexual assault allegations. Only real problem confronting this great educated qualified bundle is – how to separate any of their actions from that other loosing party. THINK ABOUT THAT! What you do to one you do to all, Red or Blue all comes out the same! Your health is my health, my social security is your social security, interest rates affect us all, gas, home food prices are the same for all. What a day! Big Daddy is going to stop the crying and finger pointing and make everything a worse mess, say what? Oh, great. Sorry!
Mothersworry says
There are no words, this is going to be a shit show for the next 4 years.
JohnSmith says
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.”
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Atwp says
Perhaps more people should vote for Democrats. Had Kamala won, we wouldn’t have this problem. People look at psychology, crooks attract crooks. Time will tell how this will work for us. Am sure he will ask more raping crooks to join his cabinet.
Sherry says
@ Robjr. . . trump was much more than just credibly accused of rape, he was found “Guilty of Sexual Assault and Defaming His Victim” by a jury of his peers in two different trials! He owes E Jean Carroll over 80 million dollars.
joe says
Is it really a surprise that Mr. “Grab’em by the pussy”, and “I tried to fuck her. I moved on her like a bitch, but I couldn’t get there.” (Trump’s actual words) would pick two sexual deviants for his Cabinet?
Anyone who is shocked has simply not paid attention.
Sherry says
This is precisely what happens when corrupt lying, racist, women abusing “Convicted Criminals” are given unlimited power. The Fox brainwashed maga cult members who threw their own moral compass away and somehow became convinced that “Character Doesn’t Matter” will rue the day they voted for a complete “sleazebag” for President. It’s very simple. . . “Garbage In= Garbage Out”!