What To Know About Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s Pick For Attorney General

In picking Rep. Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is looking to install a fierce loyalist who has been seen as divisive even within his own party. Not one of the top names seen as a likely pick for the job, Gaetz’s selection was first pushed out on Trump’s social media network instead of a more formal announcement from his transition team as with most of his choices. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Read More: Here Are the New Members of Trump’s Administration So Far House Speaker Mike Johnson said that Gaetz resigned from Congress on Wednesday, meaning that the House Ethics Committee’s ongoing probe into allegations against Gaetz of child sex trafficking ends, and no report will be issued. Here are some things to know about Gaetz. He’s had legal issues of his own The House Ethics Committee had been investigating allegations that Gaetz was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl, a probe that ended Wednesday with Gaetz’ resignation from the House. In June, the committee gave an unusual public update on its review, which it said also included whether Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct. The committee announced that it was no longer reviewing four other allegations involving the congressman, including that he shared inappropriate images or videos with colleagues on the House floor or that he accepted a bribe or converted campaign funds to personal use. Gaetz has categorically denied all the allegations, which he has blamed on former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a longtime nemesis, though the probe began before McCarthy and Republicans took the majority in the House. In 2023, the Justice Department ended a sex trafficking investigation with no charges against Gaetz. He’s been loyal to Trump and echoed his attacks on the ‘deep state’ Having just won his fifth term representing much of the Florida Panhandle, Gaetz, 42, has been a frequent defender of Trump on cable news. He traveled to New York earlier this year when Trump stood trial in his hush money case.