Trump picks loyalist Matt Gaetz of Florida as US attorney general
Al Jazeera
The Florida congressman says it will be an ‘honour’ to serve as top prosecutor but could face a difficult confirmation process.
United States President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz, 42, will serve as his attorney general, a role that doubles as the country’s top prosecutor and the head of the Department of Justice.
Trump announced the nomination in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, citing Gaetz’s background as a lawyer and as a member of the House Judiciary Committee.
He also indicated that Gaetz’s nomination would be part of his agenda to rout the government of perceived rivals. Trump has long accused Democrats of “weaponising” the Justice Department against him, an allegation he revisited in Wednesday’s announcement.
“Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan Weaponization of our Justice System,” Trump wrote in his statement.
“Matt will end Weaponized Government, protect our Borders, dismantle Criminal Organizations and restore Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department.”
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