WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump unexpected choice Representative Matt Gaetz for Attorney General He signaled a like-minded approach to overhauling the Justice Department.

But this election also sparked the first criticism of Trump’s Cabinet picks; because senators questioned whether the Florida Republican would be a serious choice to become the nation’s top law enforcement official.

Like Trump, Gaetz went through the legal system under the focus of a criminal investigation.

Here are five takeaways from the surprising announcement:

More: Donald Trump picks firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz to run the Justice Department as attorney general

Trump picks Gaetz to end ‘weaponization’ of Justice Department

Trump and Gaetz became harsh critics of the Justice Department following the investigation.

Gaetz was the subject of a federal sex trafficking investigation. ended free of charge against the congressman, even though a onetime close political ally pleaded guilty.

House Ethics Committee investigating Gaetz He said in June that the investigation had been expanded to include additional allegations, but that action would end with his departure from the chamber if the Senate approved his appointment.

The committee is investigating several allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual abuse and illegal drug use, accepted “improper gifts” and granted special privileges. Gaetz denied the allegations and blamed the investigation on former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“Lawful, consensual sexual activity by adults is not the business of Congress,” Gaetz wrote in a letter posted on social media in September.

McCarthy He said about his historic dismissal in 2023 It came as Gaetz tried to obstruct the House’s ethics investigation.

Meanwhile, special counsel Jack Smith is also in the investigation process. rejection of two indictments Against Trump. Trump has been accused of interfering in the election and mishandling classified documents, but the Justice Department’s long-standing policy prevents the prosecution of sitting presidents. Trump will not be prosecuted either way.

“Matt is an extremely talented and driven attorney, trained at William & Mary Law School, who has distinguished himself in Congress by focusing on achieving urgently needed reform at the Department of Justice.” Trump said in his post on Truth Social:. “There are few issues in America more important than ending the partisan weaponization of our Justice System.”

Trump said Gaetz played a key role in “defeating” the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. “Matt will root out systemic corruption at the Department of Justice and return the Department to its true mission of fighting crime and defending our Democracy and our Constitution,” Trump said.

Some GOP senators ‘shocked’ by Gaetz pick

Some Republican senators who will be key to Gaetz’s confirmation have questioned whether he is a serious choice for the job.

“I don’t think this is a serious run for attorney general,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. “That wasn’t on my bingo card.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was “shocked” to learn Trump had chosen Gaetz.

“I’m sure many questions will be asked at his hearing,” Collins said.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who now chairs the Judiciary Committee, said Gaetz’s election makes clear that Trump “plans to use the Justice Department to exact revenge on his political enemies.”

“Rep. Matt Gaetz would be a disaster as the next Attorney General of the United States,” Durbin said.

But Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Trump’s pick for secretary of state, said he expects Gaetz to receive confirmation.

“I think it will happen because presidents deserve great respect,” Rubio said.

‘Disaster’: bipartisan criticism

Reaction to the announcement from outside the government was swift, bipartisan and harsh.

Edward Whelan, who served as deputy attorney general during the George W. Bush administration, nixed the election.

“I can’t imagine a worse choice for attorney general than Matt Gaetz.” Whelan wrote on social media:.

Harry Litman, a top Justice Department official during the Clinton administration, said Gaetz likely shares Trump’s antipathy toward the department because it has avoided federal charges.

“On a scale of 1 to 10” Litman wrote on social media:“I would call it a disaster.”

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said the attorney general must have strong judgment, moral character and a deep respect for the law, but “Gaetz has none of that.”

“Our next Attorney General will be tasked with protecting the rule of law and our democracy, and Matt Gaetz is unfit for that job,” Himes said.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former White House and Pentagon spokeswoman in the first Trump administration, said Trump mocked his critics.

“He’s just trolling America at this point.” Farah said in her social media post:.

Served as John Bolton Trump’s national security advisorHe told NBC’s “Meet the Press NOW” that “this has to be the worst candidate for a Cabinet position in American history.”

“Gaetz is not only completely incompetent for the job, he also lacks the character,” Bolton said.

Gaetz did not become a prosecutor

Attorneys general traditionally have experience as federal prosecutors, and Gaetz’s lack of experience in that area could become a point of contention when the Senate holds his confirmation hearing.

Gaetz earned his law degree from William & Mary Law School and worked in the private sector before becoming a state and federal lawmaker. But top Justice Department and White House lawyers had threatened to resign over Trump’s proposal to appoint Jeffrey Clark, a deputy attorney general with no prosecutorial experience, as acting attorney general toward the end of his first term.

Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor “You are an environmental lawyer” Richard Donoghue told Clark During the showdown in the Oval Office on January 3, 2021. “How about you go back to your office, we’ll call you when there’s an oil spill.”

Gaetz has been a vocal critic of the DOJ and a defender of Trump

From his seat on the Judiciary Committee, the Florida Republican has been a vocal critic of the department and a staunch defender of Trump.

Gaetz Defendant Attorney General Merrick Garland He accused the department of weaponizing it and called President Joe Biden a “senile” at a hearing handling of secret documentS.

Gaetz showed his willingness to challenge the Washington establishment by opposing McCarthy as speaker. He almost got into a fight with other MPs on the House floor during the dispute. McCarthy backed a Republican rival Gaetz in Florida primaries this year but Gaetz won.

Contributed by: Sudiksha Kochi

This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Matt Gaetz shock from Trump: 5 takeaways