Donald Trump has appointed controversial Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general for his second administration.
The shock appointment is aimed at filling a post that was hotly anticipated as Trump and his allies chose names for a series of top jobs that could serve under the winner of November’s US presidential election.
The attorney general position is a powerful one and comes after a campaign in which Trump has criticized Joe Biden’s Justice Department — without any credible evidence — for using it against him to pursue political prosecutions.
It also comes after Trump himself has repeatedly said he may use the department to pursue his own political enemies, including Biden and his family members.
The outspoken Gaetz is a far-right rabble-rouser within the party and an ultra-Trump loyalist with a history of investigations during his time in office. His appointment came as a shock to many observers as his name was not at the top of speculative lists of potential candidates.
“Aren’t you entertained?” said CNN political analyst and Trump ally Scott Jennings after the news.
Meanwhile, Trump praised Gaetz.
“Matt is a highly gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving much-needed reforms at the Department of Justice,” Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social media account.
He added: “There are few issues in America more important than ending the partisan weaponization of our justice system. Matt will end the armed government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore Americans’ deeply shattered faith and trust in the Department of Justice.”
