Gaetz was one of Trump’s most loyal supporters throughout his presidential campaign. The Florida Republican has proven he will eagerly execute Trump’s plans to go after political enemies, fire noncompliant career employees and prioritize conservative activities, such as deportations and fighting initiatives in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion.

But even some Republicans grimaced at Trump’s surprise decision to tap a confrontational firebrand with no prosecutorial experience to lead the Justice Department. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and others have already expressed hesitation about Gaetz, signaling that his confirmation to the Senate, which Republicans will closely control in the next Congress, is not not guaranteed.

Below is a look at some of Gaetz’s notable moments.

Gaetz leads McCarthy ouster

Gaetz became former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s most vocal opponent when McCarthy took the gavel in 2023. As McCarthy highlighted DOJ and ethics investigations into Gaetz following allegations he When he was embroiled in a sex trafficking scandal, Gaetz increasingly called for “new leadership” and accused McCarthy of failing to deliver on his promises for his party.

In October 2023, Gaetz called a vote to vacate McCarthy’s seat, and he and seven outlier Republicans banded together to join forces with Democrats and oust him. This decision threw the House into a state of chaos and left it without a speaker for three weeks.

Gaetz faces McCarthy at the RNC

The feud between Gaetz and McCarthy came into the public eye at the Republican National Convention in July.

Gaetz, appearing angry, approached McCarthy and taunted the former speaker, saying he would be “booed off the stage” if he spoke during the event.

Gaetz dons gas mask for House vote on coronavirus legislation

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) shared a photo of himself with a gas mask on X in March 2020, moments before the House voted on multibillion-dollar legislation to combat COVID-19.

“Reexamine the Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriation and prepare to vote,” Gaetz wrote on X, before bringing it to the House.

Gaetz accuses Merrick Garland of colluding with Alvin Bragg

One of Trump’s most persistent allegations against Attorney General Merrick Garland is that he colluded with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to bring a secret investigation against Trump in New York. The DOJ called this claim a conspiracy theory.

No evidence of such coordination exists, but Gaetz ardently defended Trump’s position at a House Judiciary Committee hearing this year by demanding communication between the DOJ and Bragg’s office.

When Garland said his office was working to provide it, Gaetz lamented the bureaucratic process, saying, “You’re actually advancing the very dangerous conspiracy theory that you’re concerned about.” »

“I care deeply about the law and believe the legal war we have seen against President Trump will cause great damage well beyond our tenure in public office,” Gaetz said.

Gaetz ‘raises eyebrows’

Gaetz gained attention for his appearance during his RNC speech this summer. Social media users shared photos, saying the bomb-throwing Trump supporter appeared to be wearing excessive makeup or having received cosmetic enhancements, such as Botox.

THE Babylon Beea satirical site, responded to Trump’s nomination of Gaetz by alluding to this moment.

“Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz raises eyebrows,” the website writes.