Matt Gaetz just resigned from Congress, ending an investigation into sexual misconduct and drug use

Gaetz’s nomination was one of several nominations Trump made today as he continues to shape his second administration, with an emphasis so far on aides and allies who have been his strongest supporters in the 2024 campaign.

Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats await the outcome of California’s crucial U.S. House elections as the GOP is one win away from retaining control of the House next year.

Trump’s nod to Gaetz bypassed more experienced options in favor of a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a troublemaker and whom Trump has tasked with dramatically reshaping the Justice Department.

Trump also announced that he had nominated Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as his nominee for secretary of state. And he chose Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate, as his director of national intelligence.

The decisions continued a pattern of Trump filling his Cabinet with people he believes he can trust to carry out his agenda, rather than long-standing officials with experience in their fields. The selection of Gaetz in particular was perceived as a shock. The Florida lawmaker was not among the more established lawyers mentioned as candidates for the post, and even his colleagues in Congress appeared stunned by the news.

“Everyone said, ‘Oh my God,'” said Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho. “That was as big a surprise as it has been for a long time.”

Trump announced the decision in a post on his network Truth Social, saying Gaetz would “root out systemic corruption at the DOJ and return the department to its true mission of fighting crime and upholding our democracy and Constitution.”