Gaetz’s nomination was one of several Trump made today as he continues to shape his second administration, thus far emphasizing aides and allies who were his strongest backers during the 2024 campaign.

Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats await the outcome of crucial US House races in California as the Republican Party comes within one victory of retaining control of the chamber next year.

Trump nodded to Gaetz bypassing more experienced options in favor of a loyalist who has built a national reputation as a disruptor and to whom Trump has given the task of dramatically overhauling the Justice Department.

Trump also announced that he had named Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as his nominee for secretary of state. And he chose Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate, as his director of national intelligence.

The choices continue a pattern of Trump stocking his Cabinet with people he believes he can trust to carry out his agenda, rather than veteran officials with experience in their fields. Gaetz’s selection in particular was seen as a shock. The Florida lawmaker was not among the more established attorneys mentioned as contenders for the job, and even his colleagues in Congress seemed stunned by the news.

“Everyone said, ‘Oh my God,’” said Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho. “That was about as big a surprise as I’ve had in a long time.”

Trump announced the decision in a post on his Truth Social network, saying Gaetz would “root out systemic corruption at DOJ and return the department to its true mission: fighting crime and upholding our democracy and Constitution .”