Trump picks far-right ally Gaetz for attorney general

Donald Trump has nominated Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general, the nation’s top law enforcement officer, overseeing an agency that could be used to target the president-elect’s rivals.

- ALEX WOODWARD

The 42-year-old lawmaker and Trump loyalist from Florida “has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice,” Mr Trump said in a statement yesterday.

“It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!” Gaetz wrote on X.

House speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that Mr Gaetz has already handed him a resignation letter, “effective immediately”.

If confirmed in the Senate, Mr Gaetz will follow current attorney general Merrick Garland, whose Justice Department carried out a sex trafficking investigation into Mr Gaetz and his associates. Mr Gaetz was ultimately never charged with a crime. His resignation would effectively end a House ethics committee investigation into sexual misconduct and drug use, among other allegations.

Mr Trump said Mr Gaetz will end “weaponised government”, as the former president baselessly accuses president Joe Biden’s administration and Mr Garland of launching politically motivated investigations intended to derail his presidency.