Trump Nominates Matt Gaetz as Attorney General Pick, Signaling Pro-Crypto Direction
Former President Donald Trump has nominated Representative Matt Gaetz as his pick for Attorney General, marking another addition of crypto-friendly figures to his proposed administration lineup.
The nomination, announced on November 13th, positions Gaetz to potentially lead the Justice Department with a focus on addressing government overreach, border security, and organized crime. Trump praised Gaetz's previous work exposing what he termed "government corruption and weaponization."
Gaetz, who has served on the House Judiciary Committee, brings a track record of supporting cryptocurrency initiatives during his congressional tenure. He previously introduced legislation to enable Americans to pay federal taxes using Bitcoin and backed regulatory frameworks supporting crypto innovation through the FIT21 Act.
The Florida congressman has also shown interest in learning from Bitcoin-adopting nations, leading a delegation to meet with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. While cryptocurrency policy hasn't been central to his agenda, his nomination adds to Trump's recent pattern of selecting crypto-positive leaders.
The nomination faces hurdles ahead, with several Senate Republicans expressing reservations about Gaetz's qualifications and controversial past. His limited experience and previous federal investigations have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers who will determine his confirmation.
If confirmed, Gaetz would oversee significant changes in Justice Department operations. He has previously suggested major reforms, including potential limitations on sentences related to January 6th Capitol events and restructuring of federal agencies.
The selection aligns with Trump's recent appointments, including Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as proposed leaders of a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), indicating a potential crypto-friendly direction for a future Trump administration.
Gaetz has resigned from Congress following the nomination, expressing his readiness to serve as Attorney General under Trump's leadership.