President-elect Donald Trump has named controversial right-wing firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz to be attorney general, an announcement that sent shock waves across both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C.
Gaetz, a five-term congressman from the Florida panhandle, is facing a House ethics probe and recently beat a federal criminal investigation into allegations that he paid underage girls for sex during drug-fueled parties and luxury vacations.
He has been among the most outspoken champions of Trump’s claims that Democrats and law-enforcement officials unfairly targeted the once and future president with bogus criminal investigations, including the probes by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Trump insiders had not mentioned Gaetz as a candidate to lead the Department of Justice before the stunning announcement, which came as the pair flew back to Florida together after Trump spent the day in the nation’s capital.
“Matt will end weaponized government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department,” Trump wrote on his social media site. “He is a champion for the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The attorney general would presumably need to be confirmed by the next Senate, which will includes at least 53 Republicans, so Gaetz could afford to lose the votes of no more than three or four GOP senators.
Even as Republican senators have sworn allegiance to Trump, some suggested Gaetz could face a steep climb.
“I’ll have to think about that one,” Sen. Lindsey Graham told CNN.
In NYC, Mayor Adams was less critical of the choice than many of his fellow Democrats.
“It’s not up to me to analyze the decision that any executive [makes] — if it’s Biden, if it’s Trump, if it’s the governor or mayor — you need to staff up with your team,” Adams said when asked on PIX11 whether he thinks Gaetz is qualified for the attorney general job.
“He’s choosing those who believe, understand his vision,” Adams added of Trump.
Adams, who’s currently being prosecuted by the Department of Justice on corruption charges, has raised hackles with fellow Democrats for refraining from criticizing Trump, who has made supportive comments about Adams amid the charges. Adams has pleaded not guilty.
Gaetz is still facing a probe by the Republican-led House ethics committee, at least for now.
He may have “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct,” the committee said last summer.
The Department of Justice and the FBI investigated Gaetz for possible sex trafficking related to the same accusations. But the case ended last year without any charges being filed.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, including ever having sex with a minor or paying for sex. He called for the abolition of the FBI after the case against him ended.
The Gaetz announcement came minutes after Trump announced he would appoint ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Fox News host Pete Hegseth was tapped as Secretary of Defense late Tuesday.
All three could face difficult confirmation hearings.
Trump recently forced candidates for Republican Senate majority leader to agree they would forgo confirmation hearings and allow so-called recess appointments of key figures.
Sen. John Thune, who won the secret ballot election Wednesday, bowed to Trump’s demand.
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