Trump appoints Matt Gaetz as attorney general

President-elect Donald Trump announced Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, as his pick for attorney general on Wednesday.

If confirmed, Gaetz will lead the Justice Department after Trump is sworn in for his second term in January.

Early candidates for the post included sitting U.S. senators, former Justice Department officials and at least one top White House adviser from Trump’s first term.

Trump first announced his nomination in a post on Truth Social, saying Gaetz “has distinguished himself in Congress by focusing on much-needed reform of the Justice Department.”

Gaetz confirmed the nomination on social media site X, adding, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”

In his statement on Truth Social, Trump praised Gaetz for his experience on the House Judiciary Committee, where he said Gaetz “played a key role” in “defeating the Russia hoax” and exposing what Trump called an “alarming and systemic administration.” “ denoted corruption and weaponization.”

“He is a defender of the Constitution and the rule of law.”

Gaetz graduated from William & Mary College of Law and passed the Florida bar exam in 2008.

The department wants to resolve Trump criminal cases before the inauguration

“He’s going to want someone he knows, likes and trusts,” Former said Deputy Attorney General Matt Whitaker told Fox News about the role last week. “He’s going to want someone who’s been there since the beginning.”

This is breaking news. Check back soon for updates.

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