President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican and longtime ally, as his attorney general.
The announcement, made Wednesday via Trump’s Truth Social platform, underscores Trump’s commitment to a vision of a reformed Justice Department, stripped of what he calls “partisan weaponization.”
He wrote, “Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan weaponization of our justice system. Matt will end the weaponized government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organisations, and restore Americans’ badly shattered faith and confidence in the Justice Department.”
Gaetz, known for his support of Trump and conservative values, has been a frequent guest at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in recent weeks. Following the announcement, Gaetz expressed gratitude on X, saying it would be an honour to serve.
Trump’s choice reflects his commitment to reshaping the Justice Department—a vision frequently echoed on the campaign trail as he promises to remove institutional barriers and take bold action against what he calls “deep state” influences.
The appointment aligns with Trump’s pledges to enforce new approaches to immigration, reproductive health policy, and political retribution.
Gaetz, a member of the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, has long argued that federal agencies like the DOJ and FBI have been used against conservative causes. He has frequently called for an overhaul of these institutions and proposed radical reforms to bring them “back on our side.”
“We either get this government back on our side, or we defund and abolish the FBI, CDC, ATF, DOJ—every last one of them if they do not come to heel,” he declared at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2023.
Gaetz’s appointment is poised to mark a significant shift in the Justice Department’s focus and administration. The congressman has often advocated for bringing in personnel from state attorney general offices to replace DOJ insiders, whom he views as entrenched in a politically compromised system.
As a vocal critic of the department’s recent prosecutions, including those against Trump and January 6 defendants, Gaetz is likely to pursue policies that reflect his strong conservative stance.
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