Big Update On Matt Gaetz Appointment to Justice Department

Republicans have begun providing significant updates on Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s potential confirmation as attorney general.

In a recent Fox News interview with Larry Kudlow, GOP Sen. Ron Johnson addressed President-elect Donald Trump's decision to nominate Gaetz to head the U.S. Department of Justice. Johnson expressed his support for Trump's choice, noting the president-elect made the selection based on “instinct.”

“Let’s talk to two senators, Kevin Kramer and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson. Welcome very much, lots to talk about. We will start with Matt Gaetz, came as a surprise, I am sure they will have tongues. What do you think of the Matt Gaetz appointment to the Justice Department?” Kudlow inquired.

Johnson replied, “Interesting pick. Donald Trump is operating at warp speed in terms of filling out his administration, which he needs to do. He got elected on a mandate for significant, dramatic change in Washington D.C., which we need. I am looking forward to what Elon Musk and Vivek will do with the Department of Government Efficiency, cheering them all the way and hoping to work with them to accomplish great things.”

Recently, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Gaetz’s resignation, which took effect “immediately.”

“Out of deference to us, he issued his resignation letter effective immediately, of Congress,” Johnson told reporters. “That caught us by surprise a little bit. But I asked him what the reasoning was, and he said, well, you can’t have too many absences. So under Florida State law, there’s about an eight-week period to select and fill in a vacancy.”

He continued, “And so by doing so today, that allows me — I’ve already placed a call to Governor DeSantis in Florida and said, let’s start the clock. He’s in Italy at the moment. And so we’re going to talk first thing in the morning about this. If you do the math, we may be able to fill that seat as early as January 3rd when we take the new oath of office for the new Congress.”

Following this, Trump officially nominated Gaetz as Attorney General of the United States.

“It is my Great Honor to announce that Congressman Matt Gaetz, of Florida, is hereby nominated to be The Attorney General of the United States,” Trump declared.

Trump added, “Matt is a deeply gifted and tenacious attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has distinguished himself in Congress through his focus on achieving desperately needed reform at the Department of Justice.”

Gaetz responded on X, “It will be an honor to serve as President Trump’s Attorney General!”

Additionally, pro-Trump businessmen Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been appointed to Trump’s administration. A statement from the president-elect confirmed this news on Wednesday.

Trump's Tuesday statement revealed the two would co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at reducing federal government size and influence. Both Musk and Ramaswamy actively advocated for these reforms throughout Trump’s campaign.

“I am pleased to announce that the Great Elon Musk, working in conjunction with American Patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE],” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Notably, the acronym 'DOGE' coincides with the cryptocurrency Musk frequently endorses.

Trump elaborated, “Together, these two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.”

While not a new government agency, the Department of Government Efficiency will “provide advice and guidance from outside of government” and collaborate with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to implement structural reforms, according to ABC News.

“This will send shockwaves through the system, and anyone involved in Government waste, which is a lot of people!” Musk reportedly said.

Trump likened this initiative to the “Manhattan Project” in terms of its potential impact and legacy.

He wrote, “Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of ‘DOGE’ for a very long time. To drive this kind of drastic change, the Department of Government Efficiency will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large-scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.”

Expressing optimism, Trump added, “I look forward to Elon and Vivek making changes to the Federal Bureaucracy with an eye on efficiency and, at the same time, making life better for all Americans. Importantly, we will drive out the massive waste and fraud which exists throughout our annual $6.5 Trillion Dollars of Government Spending.”

He concluded, “They will work together to liberate our Economy, and make the U.S. Government accountable to ‘WE THE PEOPLE.’ Their work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026 — A smaller Government, with more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence. I am confident they will succeed!”

Finally, Trump announced that Fox News’s Pete Hegseth will be nominated as the next Secretary of Defense.