Matt Gaetz is ‘Uniquely Awful’ Pick for Attorney General

November 13, 2024

Matt Gaetz is 'Uniquely Awful' Pick for Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Donald Trump today announced that he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) as U.S. attorney general.

Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, issued the following statement in response:

"It's hard to imagine a worse and more unqualified candidate for attorney general of the United States than Matt Gaetz. The U.S. Senate should put party allegiance and Trump fealty aside and reject this uniquely awful pick for attorney general.

"As a member of Congress, Gaetz has demonstrated contempt for the rule of law, truth and decency. He is singularly unqualified to lead an agency that enforces civil rights laws and environmental protection statutes. Under Gaetz, we'd have every reason to expect an America where corporate criminals walk free but immigrants and people of color are harassed or rounded up with minimal pretext.

"Matt Gaetz, who loudly says that January 6^th was not an insurrection and who introduced legislation intended to protect Jan. 6 Capitol riot defendants from 'retaliation' by federal prosecutors when seeking petitions for resentencing is not appropriate pick for the position that defends the rule of law for our nation.

"Gaetz would lead a vengeful, authoritarian and lawless Department of Justice. The American people demand better and the U.S. Senate must insist upon it."