Trump has selected a candidate for attorney general who opposed aid to Ukraine and is under investigation for sex trafficking.
This is mentioned in Trump's statement.
The newly elected president referred to Gaetz as a "fighter for the Constitution and the rule of law," and also stated that he played a role in "defeating the mystification of 'Russia, Russia, Russia'" in the House Judiciary Committee.
"Matt will end the armed government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore the severely damaged faith and trust of Americans in the Department of Justice," Trump said.
CNN writes that Gaetz has relatively limited experience as a practicing lawyer compared to previous attorneys general, who had experience as judges or well-known national lawyers. Instead, Trump's appointee has spent most of his professional career as a politician.
The website "Republicans for Ukraine" assesses Gaetz's level of support for Ukraine as "low": he voted against the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed American military equipment to be leased to Ukraine, and in 2024, he voted against the law providing additional assistance to Ukraine. Moreover, he has made anti-Ukrainian statements.
Gaetz also criticized the prosecution of Trump and the participants of the January 6 Capitol riot, which he believes "was not an insurrection." Recently, he also welcomed the suspension of the criminal case against the newly elected president regarding allegations of mishandling classified documents and obstruction of justice.
According to Reuters, Gaetz played a significant role in the removal of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023, leading to weeks of uncertainty in the election of his successor Mike Johnson.
Additionally, he was under investigation by the Department of Justice for about three years over allegations of sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl. In 2023, his office announced that he would not face criminal charges.
The House Ethics Committee continues to investigate Gaetz for allegations of sexual harassment, drug use, and potential attempts to obstruct the investigation, although he denies these allegations.
The new Senate Majority Leader John Thune declined to comment on whether he was concerned about Gaetz's selection as Attorney General, but promised that the Senate would "vet" and "review" all of Trump's nominees during the confirmation process.
Trump Forms His Team
The newly elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, is in the process of forming his core team.
Trump has chosen the candidacy of Congressman Mike Waltz for his National Security Advisor and Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State. He wants to see Congresswoman from New York Elise Stefanik as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN.
At the same time, media reports indicated that American billionaire and inventor Elon Musk will not hold a position in the new administration, although he is increasing his influence on Trump. However, it was later revealed that he, along with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, will head the new Department of Government Efficiency.
Meanwhile, Trump wants to appoint Fox News host and former military officer Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, and at the helm of the Department of Homeland Security, he has chosen South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, known for her anti-Ukrainian statements.
Additionally, the newly elected president selected long-time associate John Ratcliffe as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence. Back in 2022, the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council claimed that Gabbard was working for a foreign audience for Kremlin money.