Gaetz pick shows value Trump places on loyalty — and retribution — as he returns to Washington
Gaetz pick shows value Trump places on loyalty — and retribution — as he returns to Washington
Donald Trump has had few defenders in Congress as reliable as Matt Gaetz. That kinship was rewarded Wednesday when Trump named Gaetz as his pick for attorney general, turning to a conservative loyalist in place of more established lawyers who’d been seen as contenders.
Summary
Donald Trump has appointed Congressman Matt Gaetz as his pick for attorney general, prioritizing loyalty over traditional qualifications.
Known for defending Trump against investigations like the Russia probe, Gaetz would oversee the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies he has previously criticized as “weaponized” against conservatives.
Gaetz’s appointment signals Trump’s intent to use the DOJ for potential retribution against perceived enemies, alarming Democrats and even some Republicans.
Critics warn Gaetz’s lack of DOJ experience and partisan stance could threaten impartial law enforcement in the U.S.