Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, officially nominated Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz as the head of the Justice Department for his second term administration on the 13th (local time). Trump announced Gaetz’s nomination for Attorney General through the social media platform Truth Social, stating, “Few issues are more important than ending the weaponization of the justice system.” He added, “Matt will eliminate the organized corruption within the Justice Department and bring it back to its true mission of combating crime and protecting democracy and the Constitution.”
Congressman Gaetz is considered a pro-Trump figure and a far-right figure within the Republican Party. He is a key member of the “Freedom Caucus,” a hardline conservative group within the party. It was widely expected that Trump, who has faced judicial challenges, would choose a loyalist for the role of Attorney General.
Gaetz is also known for leading the ouster of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. However, he has been embroiled in controversies within U.S. politics, including allegations of drunk driving and involvement in sex trafficking.
In the U.S., the Attorney General oversees the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and federal prosecutors. With Trump’s nomination of a loyalist aide as the head of the Justice Department, there are evaluations that he may use the department to retaliate against political opponents or significantly reorganize the department that indicted him. According to foreign media, Trump’s close associates reportedly view the Attorney General’s position as the most important role after the presidency in the upcoming administration.
Having been criminally indicted four times, including for attempting to overturn last year’s election results, Trump has been critical of the Justice Department. He also clashed with Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who permitted an investigation into alleged contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016, and Attorney General William Barr, who publicly refuted claims of election fraud in 2020.