President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General has continued to stir widespread reactions.
Tribune Online reports that Trump made the announcement on Wednesday via his Truth Social platform.
Gaetz, a polarising former Republican congressman, resigned from the House of Representatives shortly after being nominated, effectively ending an ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and other wrongdoing.
Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz as Attorney General has drawn criticism from Democrats and unease within Republican ranks. Many see the move as an effort to shield Trump from ongoing legal challenges, with critics arguing that Gaetz, if confirmed, would likely drop cases against the former president.
In this article, Tribune Online outlines 10 key facts about the controversial Attorney General nominee.
1. Background
Matthew Louis Gaetz II, commonly known as Matt Gaetz, is an American politician born on May 7, 1982, in Hollywood, Florida, to Victoria (née Quertermous) and Don Gaetz.
2. Education
In 2003, Gaetz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary sciences from Florida State University. He later completed his Juris Doctor degree at the William & Mary Law School in 2007 and was admitted to the Florida Bar on February 6, 2008.
3. Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Gaetz has faced serious accusations, including claims of paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl, illicit drug use, and misusing campaign funds. He has consistently denied these allegations.
4. Resignation from Congress
Gaetz resigned from Congress on November 13, 2024, shortly after being nominated for the position of Attorney General by Donald Trump.
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5. Contentious History in Congress
His tenure in Congress was marked by divisive actions, including leading the effort to oust former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, which caused significant divisions within the Republican Party.
6. Inappropriate Conduct in Congress
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin accused Gaetz of showing inappropriate images and videos to colleagues during his time in Congress.
7. Loyalty to Trump
Gaetz is known as a staunch Trump loyalist, frequently defending the former president in public and on social media. He has echoed Trump’s claims that the government is “weaponised” against conservatives.
8. Limited Legal Experience
Despite holding a law degree from William & Mary, Gaetz’s practical legal experience is minimal. He has never appeared in federal court and has participated in only a few state-level cases.
9. Ethics Report Controversy
US House Speaker Mike Johnson rejected the demands for the release of an ethics report on Gaetz, stating that the document is irrelevant since Gaetz is no longer a member of Congress.
10. Personal Life
In December 2020, Gaetz announced his engagement to Ginger Luckey, the sister of Oculus VR founder and Republican donor Palmer Luckey. The couple married in August 2021.
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