President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for the role of Attorney General, a decision that has sparked a mix of surprise and controversy. Trump announced the pick on Truth Social, where he expressed great confidence in Gaetz. Responding on X, Gaetz said it would be an “honor” to serve as Attorney General.
Gaetz, 42, was not widely considered a contender for the position, though he has long been a staunch ally of Trump, even showing support during Trump’s New York trial. Other potential candidates for the Attorney General role had included John Ratcliffe, recently nominated by Trump as CIA Director, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, Senator Mike Lee of Utah, former acting AG Matt Whitaker, and Texas AG Ken Paxton.
On Capitol Hill, news of Gaetz’s appointment caused mixed reactions. Some Republican lawmakers laughed uproariously, while others were visibly surprised. A source reported that House Republicans laughed when Gaetz’s appointment was announced, with one member reportedly laughing to the point of tears. Reactions among Senate Republicans were also polarized. Senator Susan Collins of Maine expressed shock and emphasized the importance of a thorough vetting process. Senator Lisa Murkowski added that Gaetz’s nomination was unexpected and called for a “serious” nominee. Senator Markwayne Mullin expressed trust in Trump’s decision but indicated that Gaetz would need to prove himself to the Senate.
Some aides predicted Gaetz’s confirmation would be an uphill battle, while one anonymous aide speculated Gaetz might use the nomination to enhance his 2026 gubernatorial prospects in Florida. However, even some Democrats voiced support for Gaetz, with Representative Jared Moskowitz describing him as “loyal and competent.”
Gaetz could potentially bypass Senate confirmation through a “recess appointment” if needed, a possibility mentioned by Rep. Thomas Massie. Gaetz, a vocal advocate for Trump, gained notoriety for his involvement in House Judiciary Committee efforts to scrutinize the Department of Justice (DOJ) and for opposing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a stance that contributed to McCarthy’s ouster in 2023. McCarthy has since implied that Gaetz pushed for his removal due to a DOJ-led investigation into Gaetz over allegations of underage sexual misconduct, which Gaetz has denied.
Trump praised Gaetz, highlighting his background as an attorney and his role on the House Judiciary Committee in challenging what Trump described as DOJ overreach. Trump’s statement lauded Gaetz’s commitment to ending the “weaponization” of the government and restoring public faith in the justice system, positioning Gaetz as a “Champion for the Constitution and the Rule of Law.”
Trump’s recent cabinet nominations also include former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe as CIA Director, William McGinley as White House Counsel, Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary, Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, and Rep. Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor.