WASHINGTON − President-elect Donald Trump’s surprising appointment of Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general suggests a shared vision for reforming the Justice Department.

However, this choice has already attracted some initial criticism regarding Trump’s Cabinet picks, with some senators questioning whether the Florida Republican would be a credible contender for the nation’s leading law enforcement role.

Similar to Trump, Gaetz has faced scrutiny within the legal system as he was also the subject of a criminal probe.

Here are five significant points from this unexpected announcement:

Trump selected Gaetz to eliminate the ‘weaponization’ of the Justice Department

Following their respective investigations, Trump and Gaetz emerged as vocal critics of the Justice Department.

Gaetz previously faced a federal investigation concerning sex trafficking, which concluded without him facing any charges, though a former ally did plead guilty.

The House Ethics Committee is currently examining Gaetz and has indicated that it would broaden its inquiry to include further allegations; however, such investigations would cease if his Senate appointment is approved.

Among the various allegations being explored are claims of Gaetz’s sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, acceptance of “improper gifts,” and granting special privileges. Gaetz has denied these claims and attributed the investigation to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.

Gaetz stated in a letter shared on social media in September that “the lawful, consensual sexual activities of adults are not the concern of Congress.”

McCarthy claimed that he was ousted from his position in 2023 due to Gaetz’s attempts to impede the ethics investigation against him.

At the same time, special counsel Jack Smith is nearing a conclusion on two indictments against Trump. Trump faces charges of election interference and mismanagement of classified documents; nevertheless, existing Justice Department protocols prevent the prosecution of seated presidents. Consequently, Trump will not encounter trial in either situation.

Trump praised Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, describing him as “an exceptionally skilled and determined attorney, trained at the William & Mary College of Law, who has made a name for himself in Congress by advocating for urgent reforms at the Justice Department.” He emphasized that “there are few things more crucial in America than to end the partisan exploitation of our Justice System.”

According to Trump, Gaetz played a pivotal role in “dismantling” the inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 elections. “Matt will eradicate the deep-rooted corruption at the DOJ, restoring its genuine purpose of combating crime and safeguarding our Democracy and Constitution,” Trump stated.

Some GOP senators express ‘shock’ over Gaetz’s selection

A number of Republican senators, crucial for Gaetz’s confirmation, expressed doubts about whether he is a viable option for the position.

“I don’t view it as a serious nomination for attorney general,” remarked Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. “This certainly wasn’t expected from my perspective.”

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, stated that she was “shocked” by Trump’s decision to choose Gaetz.

“I can anticipate there will be numerous questions raised during his confirmation hearing,” Collins commented.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who chairs the Judiciary Committee, stated that Gaetz’s appointment clearly indicates Trump’s intent to use the Justice Department for personal vendettas.

“Rep. Matt Gaetz would be a significant mistake as the next Attorney General of the United States,” Durbin expressed.

However, Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who was chosen by Trump to serve as secretary of state, anticipated that Gaetz would be approved.

“I believe he will because presidents should receive considerable respect,” Rubio remarked.

‘A disaster’: criticism across party lines

The feedback from outside the government following the announcement was immediate, bipartisan, and tough.

Edward Whelan, who served as a deputy assistant attorney general during the George W. Bush administration, criticized the selection.

“I cannot think of a worse choice for Attorney General than Matt Gaetz,” Whelan stated on social media.

Notably, Harry Litman, a senior Justice Department official during the Clinton era, pointed out that since Gaetz avoided federal prosecutions, he probably aligns with Trump’s disdain for the department.

“On a scale of 1 to 10,” Litman commented on social media, “I would rate it a disaster.”

Rep. Jim Himes from Connecticut, who is the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, remarked that the Attorney General must possess excellent judgment, strong moral character, and a profound respect for the law, but argued that “Gaetz lacks all of these qualities.”

“Our forthcoming Attorney General will be responsible for upholding the rule of law and our democracy. Matt Gaetz is unqualified for such a role,” Himes asserted.

Alyssa Farah Griffin, a former spokesperson for the White House and Pentagon during Trump’s first administration, suggested that Trump was deliberately provoking his opponents.

“At this point, he’s just trolling America,” Farah stated in a social media update.

John Bolton, who was Trump’s national security adviser, told NBC’s “Meet the Press NOW” that this might be “the most inadequate nomination for a Cabinet position in American history.”

“Gaetz is not only completely unqualified for this position, he also lacks the necessary character,” Bolton added.

Gaetz lacks prosecutorial experience

Typically, Attorney Generals have a background as federal prosecutors, and Gaetz’s absence of experience in that domain could raise concerns during his Senate confirmation hearings.

Gaetz obtained his law degree from William & Mary Law School and had a career in private practice before stepping into his role as a state and federal legislator. However, during Trump’s first term, leading lawyers in the Justice Department and the White House threatened to resign over Trump’s suggestion to appoint an assistant attorney general without prosecutorial experience, Jeffrey Clark, as the acting attorney general at the term’s end.

“You’re an environmental lawyer,” Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue said to Clark during a confrontation in the Oval Office on January 3, 2021. “How about going back to your office, and we’ll reach out to you when there’s an oil spill?”

Gaetz has been an outspoken critic of the DOJ while supporting Trump

The Republican from Florida has consistently criticized the Justice Department from his position on the Judiciary Committee and has been a robust supporter of Trump.

Gaetz accused Attorney General Merrick Garland of politicizing the department and referred to President Joe Biden as “senile” during a hearing focused on his management of classified documents.

Demonstrating his willingness to confront the Washington establishment, Gaetz opposed McCarthy for the speaker role and almost got into a physical altercation with fellow lawmakers on the House floor during that dispute. Despite McCarthy backing a Republican opponent against Gaetz in the Florida primary this year, Gaetz prevailed.