Trump picks far-right congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general | Donald Trump

Donald Trump has appointed controversial Florida congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general in his second administration.

The surprise appointment will fill a highly anticipated post as Trump and his allies select names for a series of top posts to be filled by the winner of November’s US presidential election.

The attorney general post is highly influential and follows a campaign in which Trump railed — without credible evidence — against Joe Biden’s Justice Department for using it to pursue political prosecutions against him.

This also comes after Trump himself has repeatedly stated that he could use the department to go after his own political enemies, including Biden and his family members.

The outspoken Gaetz is a far-right firebrand in the party and an ultra-Trump supporter who has been investigated in the past while in office. His appointment came as a shock to many observers, as his name had not been high on any speculative list of potential candidates.

“Aren’t you entertained?” CNN political analyst and Trump ally Scott Jennings said following the news.

Meanwhile, Trump praised Gaetz.

“Matt is an extremely talented and tenacious attorney who was trained at William & Mary College of Law and has distinguished himself in Congress by focusing on bringing about much-needed reforms at the Justice Department,” Trump said in a statement social media account published in his Truth magazine.

He added: “There are few issues more important in America than ending the partisan weaponization of our justice system.” Matt will end the gun government, protect our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore the severely shaken faith and trust of the Restoring Americans to the Justice Department.”