President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz as Attorney General has sparked widespread astonishment and concern among current and former Justice Department officials. Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally known for his controversial views and a recent history of investigations by the FBI, was announced as Trump’s pick to head the DOJ on Wednesday. Gaetz had previously been investigated in a federal sex trafficking probe, although the investigation closed without charges. His selection, however, has led to an unprecedented response from within the DOJ.
One senior DOJ official reacted simply with, “OMG,” while another described the decision as “truly stunning,” and a third called it “insane.” An anonymous official voiced strong concerns over Gaetz’s background, saying, “It’s laughable that he was nominated. He should not be confirmed to such a critical position, especially now.”
An outspoken backer of Trump, Gaetz has frequently lambasted the DOJ and the FBI, even proposing to defund either organization. He has often criticized the DOJ’s probes into the January 6 Capitol assault, where over 1,500 people were charged and more than 1,100 found guilty. Gaetz has additionally endorsed conspiracy theories concerning the attack, at one moment incorrectly implying that the leftist organization antifa was responsible for the event. In the years since, he has continued to spread false claims about people connected to the January 6 incidents, including Ray Epps, who was incorrectly portrayed as a government informant.
Gaetz backed the January 6 defendants by trying to see detainees and calling for the release of all the surveillance videos from that day. Brandon Straka, a defendant from January 6, stated that Gaetz was often in communication regarding the status of individuals charged related to the Capitol attack.
Justice Department officials expressed a sense of disbelief and frustration over Gaetz’s selection. “I’m struggling to find words,” said one DOJ employee. Another official sarcastically noted Gaetz’s “unique qualifications” for the job, saying, “How many other prospective attorneys general have firsthand experience as the subject of a criminal investigation?”
The atmosphere within DOJ headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue was reported to be tense, with employees anxious about the potential implications Gaetz’s leadership might have on the department. Since Watergate, the DOJ has operated under norms intended to prevent political bias in criminal investigations, norms that employees now fear may be jeopardized.
Once Trump assumes office, Gaetz will still need Senate confirmation to become Attorney General. Republican senators have expressed reservations, though many stopped short of rejecting him outright. One former DOJ official stated bluntly, “Matt lacks any substance and any understanding of how the Department works. He would have final say on important national security matters, and this is someone entirely unprincipled.” Another former official added, “He is the least qualified person ever nominated for a position in the Department of Justice.”
For many, the decision is a stark departure from DOJ tradition and a symbol of concern over the future of the department under Gaetz’s possible leadership. Whether or not he will be confirmed, his selection has underscored the friction and uncertainty surrounding the DOJ as the country prepares for a new administration.