Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Rep. Matt Gaetz is his nominee for attorney general of the United States, appointing him to oversee a Justice Department that once investigated the Florida Republican for sex trafficking a minor.
“It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,” Trump wrote in his post, going on to call him a “tenacious attorney.”
Trump said Gaetz would be charged with ending “Weaponized Government” and restoring “Americans’ badly-shattered Faith and Confidence in the Justice Department,” in addition to addressing the border.
Just two years ago, the FBI investigated Gaetz for allegedly paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl — allegations that were supported by Venmo transactions and a confession letter written by his friend, disgraced local tax official Joel Greenberg. Greenberg said Gaetz would use him as a middleman for arranging sexual encounters. Gaetz has denied allegations that he ever had sex with a minor or engaged in sex trafficking.
Gaetz sought a presidential pardon during Trump’s first term, according to testimony delivered to the House Jan. 6 Committee. Former White House aide John McEntee testified that Gaetz had told him that “he did not do anything wrong, but they are trying to make his life hell, and you know, if the president could give him a pardon, that would be great.”
Federal prosecutors ultimately declined to criminally charge the congressman. Since, the House Ethics Committee has recommenced its own probe into Gaetz. The Ethics panel had previously paused its investigation, deferring the matter to the DOJ.
The investigation by the committee is ongoing; it is specifically looking at allegations of “sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.” Sources have previously told NOTUS that the probe is centered around the allegation that he had sexual relations with a minor.
Separately, a civil lawsuit involving one of Gaetz’s friends, a Florida lobbyist, has revealed additional details about drug-fueled sex parties with young women. Legal documents filed to a Florida federal court cited sealed affidavits from three eyewitness testimonies that place Gaetz at a 2017 sex party, where minors were present, as NOTUS previously reported.
This ongoing controversy has people close to Trump skeptical of Gaetz’s ability to get through a Senate confirmation process.
“He has no chance at getting confirmed,” one source close to Trump told NOTUS. “I’d be shocked if his nomination makes it out of committee.”
When the news was announced, House members were at a hotel on Capitol Hill for leadership elections.
In the lobby, a congressman shared the news with three other lawmakers. “Y’all are gonna love this,” they said. In response, one lawmaker put their hands over their face in shock, and another said, “Seriously, he put Matt Gaetz?”
Gaetz has remained a stout defender of Trump and the MAGA movement, dubbing himself a “firebrand.” Gaetz’s remained loyal to Trump, despite Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign.
Politics is a family business in the Gaetz family. The House Republican’s father, Don Gaetz, was a powerhouse in local politics, before serving as the state’s Senate president until 2014. Before getting elected to Congress, Matt Gaetz was a lawyer and state representative.
Read more:
• New Court Filings Place Matt Gaetz at a Party at the Center of the Sex Trafficking Scandal
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Reese Gorman and Jose Pagliery are reporters at NOTUS.