WASHINGTON – The decision by former Rep. Matt Gaetz to step down from consideration for attorney general has opened the door for Donald Trump to either select one of the criminal defense lawyers he previously suggested for top roles at the Justice Department or consider other strong figures he had in mind.

One option for Trump is to promote defense attorney Todd Blanche, whom he had already appointed as deputy attorney general. Other strong candidates could be Sen. Mike Lee from Utah, former intelligence officer Kash Patel, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

“The key factor is really how loyal they are to Trump, someone who can be like Matt Gaetz but without the controversy,” explained Jeff Breinholt, a former senior attorney and counterterrorism expert at the Justice Department.

Gaetz announced his withdrawal on Thursday amid ongoing damaging testimonies tied to federal investigations and the House Ethics Committee regarding claims of sexual misconduct and drug use, which he has denied.

Here’s a closer look at some of the possible candidates for the position of attorney general:

Todd Blanche

Blanche, along with Emil Bove, who has been appointed as principal associate deputy attorney general, represented Trump during his New York hush money trial and in various federal investigations into his alleged election misconduct and the improper handling of classified documents.

Their strategy of delaying proceedings pushed significant actions in two federal cases until after the election. Now, following Trump’s victory, special counsel Jack Smith is wrapping up both cases, adhering to department policy which prohibits prosecuting a sitting president.

Despite Trump having been convicted on 34 counts related to falsifying business records, Blanche has vigorously defended him, labeling his previous attorney, Michael Cohen, as untrustworthy. Sentencing for the Manhattan conviction has been delayed pending a request from District Attorney Alvin Bragg for a postponement until after Trump concludes his term, while Trump’s legal team asserts that the charges should be dismissed entirely.

Previously, Blanche served as a federal prosecutor in New York and completed clerkships for two federal judges.

“Todd is an outstanding lawyer who will be an essential figure in the Justice Department, reforming a System of Justice that has been broken for too long,” Trump remarked as he announced Blanche’s appointment as deputy attorney general.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah

Having been in the Senate for 14 years and holding a position on the Judiciary Committee, Lee was previously viewed as a leading candidate for attorney general prior to Gaetz’s appointment and may find an easier path to confirmation from his colleagues.

Throughout Trump’s first term, Lee was a strong supporter and communicated with Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, about ways to contest the 2020 election outcomes.

In messages retrieved by CNN, Lee expressed “unwavering support for utilizing every legal and constitutional approach available,” despite ultimately voting to certify Joe Biden’s presidential victory.

“He is someone who commands significant respect in the Senate,” commented Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.

Kash Patel, Ex-Defense and Intelligence Official

Kash Patel held various significant roles including National Security Council official, senior adviser to the Director of National Intelligence, and chief of staff to the Defense Secretary during Trump’s first term. He is currently being considered for the role of FBI director.

Since leaving office in 2021, Patel has actively used social media and made public appearances to advocate for Trump and his policies, particularly in rallying against what they label the “deep state” within national security.

“We’ve got to put in all American patriots from the top down,” Patel mentioned in a recent post-election interview with Trump ally Steve Bannon. He expressed commitment to hunting down “conspirators” in both government and media seen as disloyal to Trump.

Patel appears eager to align with Trump’s directives, although he has encountered resistance from many within the department, as well as judges involved in counterterrorism cases, according to Breinholt.

“Kash was not well-liked in the Judiciary during his tenure at Justice, so we moved him to Congress,” where he lent his expertise to Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., on the House Intelligence Committee, Breinholt added.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

Ken Paxton is a prominent advocate for Trump. He spoke at Trump’s rally near the White House on January 6, 2021, and attended his election night gathering at Mar-a-Lago.

Paxton, who was a state lawmaker before, has been serving as the Attorney General of Texas since 2015. He filed 27 lawsuits against the Obama administration within a two-year span, with six cases reaching the Supreme Court.

Similar to Trump, Paxton has faced criminal probes and impeachment. In March, he settled a persistent indictment linked to securities fraud charges by agreeing to pay $271,000 while avoiding a formal plea and committing to community service.

Previously, Paxton faced impeachment on 20 misconduct allegations, but the state Senate acquitted him in September 2023.

“Ken endured a lengthy struggle, but it ended beautifully for him,” Trump remarked following Paxton’s acquittal.