Updated November 13, 2024 at 4:13 p.m. ET

President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general, placing the combative Florida Republican in the key post as Trump potentially aims to rein in the Justice Department’s independence.

Gaetz, 42, would take over a department that as recently as last year was investigating him for possible sex trafficking offenses. Ultimately, prosecutors recommended against filing charges against him after a lengthy investigation.

In a statement on his Truth Social account, Trump called Gaetz a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney” and said he “distinguished himself in Congress by focusing on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.” Justice.”

“Few issues in America are more important than ending the partisan militarization of our justice system,” Trump added. “Matt will end militarized government, protest our borders, dismantle criminal organizations, and restore Americans’ gravely broken faith and trust in the Justice Department.”

Gaetz has been a close ally of Trump, including supporting him during his criminal trial in New York. Gaetz was one of many GOP politicians who traveled to New York to attend the debates and historical testimonies.

Gaetz served for several years on the House Judiciary Committee, where he was a vocal critic of the Russia investigation and a strong supporter of Trump.

He was also the main instigator of the political defenestration of former Republican President Kevin McCarthy last year. McCarthy did not block a separate House Ethics Committee investigation related to sex and drug trafficking allegations against Gaetz. Gaetz denied the allegations and noted that the related FBI investigation that began in 2020 was closed without charges. If confirmed, Gaetz would also oversee the FBI.

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