In choosing Rep. Matt Gaetz as his nominee for attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump is looking to install a fierce loyalist who is seen as divisive even within his own party.

The choice of Gaetz, who is not one of the high-profile figures seen as a likely choice for the job, was first suggested on Trump’s social media network rather than a more formal announcement from the transition team, as is the case with most of his choices.

Here are some things you need to know about Gaetz.

He had his own legal problems

The House Ethics Committee is investigating allegations that Gaetz was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.

In June, the committee gave an unusual public update on its review, including whether Gaetz had engaged in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, accepted improper gifts and tried to obstruct government investigations into his conduct.

The committee announced it was no longer reviewing four other allegations against the member of Congress; These included sharing inappropriate photos or videos with members of Congress, accepting bribes, or diverting campaign funds to personal use.

Gaetz categorically denied all the allegations, in which he blamed his longtime nemesis, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy; but the investigation began before McCarthy and the Republicans gained a majority in the House of Representatives.

In 2023, the Justice Department ended its sex trafficking investigation with no charges against Gaetz.

Remained loyal to Trump and renewed attacks on ‘deep state’

Gaetz, 42, who just won his fifth term representing most of the Florida Panhandle, has been a frequent defender of Trump on cable news.

He went to New York earlier this year when Trump was on trial in the hush money case. He shared a photo of himself and other Congressional Republicans standing behind Trump. The headline echoed the language Trump once used when addressing the extremist Proud Boys: “I stand back and stand by, Mr. President.”

During Trump’s debate with President Joe Biden in June, Gaetz was front and center in the meeting room and talked up Trump’s accomplishments. After Biden dropped out of the race, Gaetz was among those who helped Trump prepare for his next debate with Vice President Kamala Harris; In that debate, the former president made false claims that Haitian immigrants were eating people’s pets and other animals. It spread on the internet.

Just hours before Trump announced his candidacy, Gaetz wrote a post about X that reiterated Trump’s frequent claims that he was unfairly targeted by the justice system.

“We must have a full court crackdown on this ARMED government that has turned against our people,” Gaetz said. “And if that means Abolishing each of the three letter agencies, from the FBI to the ATF, I’m ready to go!”

If confirmed as attorney general, Gaetz would oversee both agencies.

Angered other Republicans

Gaetz has been a staunch defender of Trump but has at times angered other Republicans, including during the House leadership debate last year.

In early 2023, Gaetz was among a group of far-right conservatives who opposed McCarthy’s bid for the House speaker, forcing McCarthy to wait 15 votes before winning the spot. And it was Gaetz who orchestrated the vote that would ultimately lead to McCarthy’s ouster.

McCarthy accused Gaetz of pushing him out to stop the ethics complaint against him.

He is a lawyer

Gaetz graduated from William & Mary School of Law in 2007 and started working at a firm in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

The Florida bar association briefly suspended his license in 2021 for unpaid fees, but the association listed him as a member in good standing on its website Wednesday.

Could be a tough road to approval

Most Republicans avoided direct answers about whether they supported the selection of the new president. The GOP will have a 53-seat majority in the new Senate and can count on Vice President J.D. Vance to break the 50-50 tie by allowing a handful of defections.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he did not know Gaetz “other than his public persona, so we will treat this like any other nomination.”

“I’m not going to prejudge any of this,” Cornyn said, suggesting the Senate closely examine the House Ethics Committee investigation.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is also a member of the Judiciary Committee, called Gaetz a “smart, smart guy” but suggested: “He’s going to have to answer some tough questions at the hearing, and we’ll see how he answers.” ”

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, one of Trump’s few Republican critics in Congress, said she was shocked to hear about Gaetz’s candidacy, adding: “I’m sure there will be many, many questions that will arise at Mr. Gaetz’s hearing. In fact, the candidacy continues.

Another Trump critic, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, said Gaetz “in my opinion” is not a serious candidate.

North Carolina Sen., the Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Thom Tillis expressed doubts about the nomination, saying Gaetz would have his “work cut out for him” to get enough votes for confirmation.

“I’m confident this will create a popcorn-eating confirmation hearing,” Tillis said.

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Associated Press writers Farnush Amiri, Stephen Groves and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington and Michelle L. Price in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed.