President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz as his future attorney general has caused widespread shock within the Justice Department, already reeling from a tumultuous week following the election.
Many career officials at the DOJ, who spoke anonymously, expressed concern and dread about the possibility of Gaetz, a vocal critic of the department, leading the agency. Gaetz was previously under investigation by the DOJ for criminal sex trafficking, adding to the unease among employees about his potential appointment to oversee the very department that investigated him.
As concerns over Gaetz’s nomination grow, some officials doubt he will secure Senate confirmation, given the backlash from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. There is also speculation that his nomination could be part of a broader strategy to eventually confirm a less controversial figure.
Amid these fears, many career DOJ officials are contemplating whether to stay in the department under Trump’s second term, especially given his past threats to use the agency for personal retribution.
Recent warnings from Trump’s transition advisor, Mark Paoletta, have only heightened those concerns, with Paoletta threatening swift punishment for any DOJ officials who resist Trump’s agenda.
Peoplesmind
