Matt Gaetz was a leading advocate for Donald Trump when he wanted to invalidate the 2020 election. He has demanded that the FBI, the Justice Department, and other authorities be abolished entirely – but is now supposed to restore Americans' confidence in the department, according to Trump.
The question is whether the nomination of the Florida Republican will be confirmed in the Senate, as it is being questioned by politicians from both camps.
The Justice Department has been investigating Matt Gaetz for several years on suspicion of human trafficking and abuse of power. He himself denies all crimes, and last year it was decided not to prosecute.
Investigated in Congress
However, he is still the subject of an investigation by the House of Representatives' ethics committee. Gaetz claims it is a matter of "political revenge".
What is being investigated includes allegations of sexual offenses, drug use, and attempts to obstruct investigations into his conduct. According to CNN, the congressional investigation's report could have been published as early as this week, but since Gaetz is now leaving his seat in the House of Representatives, it is unclear whether it will happen at all.
Gaetz is one of several Republicans who have criticized the US's support for Ukraine. Earlier this year, he described Ukraine's desire to retake Crimea as a completely unattainable goal – which Russia's state-controlled media places great emphasis on when reporting on Trump's ministerial appointment.
Will Face Questions
Representatives from both Republicans and Democrats have expressed doubts about whether Trump's nomination of Gaetz will be approved in the Senate, where intense questioning and tough scrutiny are expected, despite a Republican majority.
When Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski met with a press corps, she was asked to comment on the fact that a person who is the subject of an ethical investigation in Congress can become Attorney General.
Do you think he is a serious candidate? Not if you ask me, said Murkowski.
Her party colleague in the Senate, Susan Collins, emphasizes that the choice of Gaetz shows how important it is for Congress to have a say in ministerial candidates:
And I'm sure many questions will arise during his hearing.
Trump's former adviser Steve Bannon, who was released from prison the week before the election after a four-month sentence for defying Congress, describes Matt Gaetz as a "blowtorch" that Trump will direct at the Justice Department.
