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President-elect Trump surprised Washington by making two controversial appointments for key law enforcement and intelligence positions in his administration. He selected Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) as attorney general and former Democratic representative Tulsi Gabbard for the nation’s top intelligence role.
By choosing a loyalist for the Justice Department, which he has criticized both publicly and privately, Trump aims to utilize this position as a means of enacting the retribution he has promised to deliver to those he views as adversaries during a potential second term.
In Gabbard, Trump has chosen an individual who has promoted various conspiracy theories that contradict the findings of the U.S. intelligence agencies she would oversee. She has consistently supported narratives similar to those propagated by Russia.
Gaetz’s selection seemed to take lawmakers by surprise, as he was not included in the list of candidates previously speculated for the role. Democrats are likely to highlight his past investigation related to a sex-trafficking probe conducted by the Justice Department.
During a House Republican meeting on Wednesday afternoon to initiate leadership elections, sources reported that there were audible gasps upon the announcement of Gaetz as Trump’s pick for attorney general.
These appointments also raise concerns about Trump’s ability to secure confirmation for his nominees, even in a Republican-led Senate.
Gabbard is anticipated to encounter significant challenges in her nomination, facing resistance from several former high-ranking national security and intelligence officials.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is responsible for preparing the President’s Daily Brief, which consolidates information gathered from the 18 intelligence agencies to assist the president in making crucial national security and foreign policy decisions.
Her history of pro-Russia statements has sparked criticism from both political parties.
She propagated disinformation claiming that Ukraine was developing biological weapons—a narrative advanced by Russian media—which led Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) to accuse her of spreading “treasonous lies [that] may well cost lives.”
Additionally, she criticized the Biden administration for failing to recognize what she referred to as “Russia’s legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine’s potential NATO membership” at a time when Ukraine was being invaded in 2022.
Her 2017 meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, an ally of Russia accused of using chemical weapons against his own people during the civil war, also drew significant criticism.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) described Trump’s recent selections as surreal, comparing them to “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.”
“It's like going through the looking glass,” he remarked.
“It’s becoming increasingly bizarre. Initially, it felt like typical Republican choices, but now we’re venturing into some unusual territory,” he added.
“It’s a situation where you wonder, ‘Who’s the last person you’d ever expect to see in this position?’ And there could be significant challenges in getting [them] through Senate confirmation,” he stated.
Gaetz, who would move directly from having never served as a prosecutor to becoming the nation’s top law enforcement official, possesses many of the qualities Trump has indicated he desires in a future attorney general.
Even within the GOP conference that is firmly behind Trump, Gaetz has distinguished himself through his unwavering loyalty to the president-elect.
As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Gaetz has criticized the prosecutions of Trump and accused the Justice Department and the FBI of unfairly targeting the president and other conservatives. If appointed attorney general, he would also oversee the FBI.
Critics from both parties have pointed to Gaetz’s loyalty to Trump as a significant reason for his selection.
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), a former Trump aide, remarked, “I think it’s absurd to select Rep. Gaetz. The president is likely rewarding him for being such a loyal supporter, but I believe both he and his team realize that Mr. Gaetz will never be confirmed by the Senate.” He added that Gaetz will face “intense scrutiny from members of the Senate on both sides of the aisle.”
“Mickey Mouse would be a better choice than Matt Gaetz,” he later added.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, also stated that Gaetz is “not fit” for the role.
“The Attorney General of the United States must possess strong judgment, moral character, and a profound respect for the law. As nearly all members of Congress are aware, Matt Gaetz lacks all of those qualities,” Himes said in a statement.
“What he does possess is unwavering loyalty to Donald Trump and a readiness to use the government as a tool against his political opponents—an affinity that he shares with the president-elect.”
Trump has a track record of using the Justice Department to target his adversaries, having done so at least a dozen times during his first term. He has called for the arrest of individuals, including special counsel Jack Smith.
Gaetz has actively pursued these issues himself, filing a complaint with the Justice Department in March that accused Smith of election interference.
He has also been vocal in questioning Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray, and others during their appearances before Congress.
Additionally, he frequently promotes Trump’s claims about a “deep state” operating within the government and has alleged that the Justice Department has been weaponized against American citizens.
“We need to launch a full-scale effort against this WEAPONIZED government that has turned against our citizens,” he posted on social media just hours before his nomination was announced.
“And if that means ABOLISHING every one of the three-letter agencies, from the FBI to the ATF, I’m ready to get started!”